News from Cynthia

The past month has been a very sad time with the sudden passing of friend and talented horsewoman, Joylene Dudink on June 20th.
Joylene featured in the last two newsletters, at Agfest with my bitless bridle demos and competing at the Masters Games event riding bitless.

I'm not sure if what I'm about to say is the 'right' thing' - but I'm sure Joylene would approve; For reasons unknown, Joylene took her own life and while suicide is something most people don't like to talk about, its part of life and death and one of the processes to move on.
It's harder for those left behind of course, and also a reminder that with our busy lives, we need to take more time for friends - to just call and say hi, and let them know we love them.

So let go of your grudge about them not contacting you enough and just do it - a phone call, an email, a visit - whatever you can manage is letting them know you care - we all need that. I read somewhere that people who get lots of hugs every day thrive and it takes at least 2 hugs per day to survive.

If you would like to leave a message for Joylene, please go to her website
www.freewebs.com/anawa


Vale – Joylene Dudink (Jan 1979 - June 2010) pictured here with her beloved Molly dog and Anawa Mahushka, her equine soul mare of 17 years.

Joylene you were one of a kind.
Your enthusiasm for life and horses knew no boundaries.
You lived a lifetime in a short time.
You showed others a great example of uniqueness, of one with horses, a caring and sharing soul.
You gave so many people a chance to experience great horses with Anawa siring so many versatile, tractable and unique characters.
You weren’t afraid to stand up for your beliefs but didn’t push them onto others.
You supported and encouraged many young riders who looked up to you.
Your love of horses and animals was seen in all those you took in, cared for and mothered.
You had an intuitive sense with animals – they trusted you and in return gave you so much joy.
You won so many awards and accolades with horses that you surpassed the need to do so any more.
And then what? Maybe that’s why you left your physical body – because you had nothing more to prove – for you always sought to achieve and be the best at whatever you did.
The world of horses will be poorer for your absence, but you will never be forgotten – there are too many memories, too many photos, too many friends to ever forget such an energetic soul.
Rest in Peace my friend.

CELEBRATION INVITATION
Joylene's friends are invited to attend a celebration of life to be held at the Westbury Showground Pavillion on SAT 31st of July at 6.30-7pm
T his will be an evening of video/pics of Joylene's life.
Please bring a platter/nibble's to share - tea /coffee will be supplied.
If you need directions please call Berris on 63 931820.

NEW NATURAL HORSE WORLD STORE.
For the past couple of months now, I've been researching shopping cart programs and testing out a couple of the best. Finally, the building and testing (thanks to those who offered to do that) the new Natural Horse World Store is complete and ready for opening.
There will be some on-going tweaking and I'd love to have your feedback if you find areas that can be improved.
The new store has so many features such as the ability to shop in your own currency, product comparisons, photos that enlarge when you mouse over or click on them, clear shipping rates (real time quotes and choices for Australian customers) and a great search function with drop down results menu.

I am proud to offer a better shopping experience so if you'd like to experience the new store go to NaturalHorseWorldStore.com

Why I’m not on Twitter and Facebook yet.
I’ve been asked, and had it suggested that I could be more up to date with social media, and yes, maybe that’s something I will do in the future.
But right now, I have so much work on the computer to do, that I don’t want or need the distraction – heck I have a hard enough time remembering to update my blog!
Besides not being into gossip, I also tend to save my news for this monthly newsletter – a bit ‘old fashioned’ but still very much looked forward to by the thousands of subscribers.
Besides, less time on the computer means more time out with the horses!

New Article - How I Educate My Horses
by Cynthia Cooper

Over the many years of being a student of the horse, pony club, Parelli, horse psychology, clicker training and many other great horsemen and women, I have learned a lot. In fact I’m a ‘learn-a-holic’!
Learning is something I will continue to do until the day I die!

When it comes to educating my own horses, I now use many techniques and tools that are evolving as I find out what they are most effective for.
I call this my ‘toolbox’ because I can choose whatever the horse or situation needs at the time.
Every horse is an individual, and can change from moment to moment so having a range of experiences and ‘tools’ to draw upon is extremely valuable.

Here is what you will find in my ‘toolbox’: Click here to read the rest.

Barefoot News

Congratulations to Helen Vagg from Exton, Tasmania - now an Austalian Certified Equine Hoofcare Practitioner after completing the Polytechnic Certificate 3 in Equine Hoofcare.

Barefoot Events coming up:

AUSTRALIAN DESERT BRUMBY TOUR 2011 27th - 30th of May
Tour fee of $900 includes accommodation pickup/drop off, all meals, swags, 4WD transport, knowledgeable fun guides, access to aboriginal land. Book early to secure your seat. Places for the 2011 adventure are filling fast.
Book with Jen on 0408838198 for up close encounters with brumbies.


Barefoot Workshops Coming Up:

WILD ABOUT HOOVES Workshop - Sunday 10th OCTOBER 2010
Learn to trim workshop - ADULT EDUCATION HOBART ph 03 6233 8693

WILD ABOUT HOOVES Workshop - Sunday 15th of August 2010
Learn to trim workshop - SOUTH AUSTRALIA contact Pauline Williams Ph. 0407 863 575.

www.equinesoundness.com has a Powerpoint presentation explaining the new online September Course.

"The Functional Hoof" Australian Conference
Feb 2nd - 5th 2011 Werribee Victoria Australia

An Invitation to all Equine enthusiasts to participate in Australia's first professional scientific conference aimed for Veterinarians, trimmers, farriers, horse industry and owners.
Expressions of interest invited for sponsorship for this exciting 4 day conference featuring proposed International and Australian speakers such as:
> Professor Bob Bowker - Michigan State University
> Dr. Alison Macintosh - Qld Australia
> Dr. Debra Taylor – Laminitis studies - Auburn University, Alabama
> Dr. Simon Collins - Orthopaedic imaging, Animal Health Trust & Loughborough University, UK
> Todd Jaynes - Hoof Care Educator USA
> Carol Layton - Nutritionist NSW Australia
> Karen Chaton - Endurance Champion USA who has ridden thousands of kms on booted horses
> Duncan McLaughlan – Thermo Imaging - NSW Australia
> Brian Hampson - Brumby Research PhD
> Garrett Ford - Owner and President Easycare Inc USA

www.thefunctionalhoof.com
Thank you to Carol Layton of Balanced Equine Nutrition for her time to develop this site - stay tuned for more updates over the next few months and registration forms out soon.

Bitless News

LightRider Bitless Bridles now in leather
They are on their way - the new English style bridles have a padded single headpiece like the Stockhorse style, also available in black and brown leather (pictured).
Available soon from the new Natural Horse World Store.

New Listing on the
Bitless Riding Info page
Sietske Nobel in Bridgetown, Western Australia is another instructor promoting Bitless Bridles by holding Bitless Riding Workshops. Check out her website for more details or Phone 08 9761 9210 Mobile 0429 139655. www.naturalhorses.com.au

Claudia Garner from the USA sent this pic of her mini that she drives Bitless and without 'Blinders' in response to last month's article on Driving Bitless.

What a cutie!

PROFILES WANTED – each month I’d like to include a profile of a club or instructor who promotes bitless riding so please send me a few paragraphs and a photo or two if you’d like to be featured.

World News

Emergency Equine Assistance

Free to join, EEA is a network of equestrian people who are prepared to “come to the rescue” for other members who are stranded with their horses on the roadside or away from home.

Equestrian people have not (until now) had free road-side or call-out assistance for equine-related emergencies. Members can seek help from other members to have their horses taken home or to a safe place overnight. Additionally, members may seek help from others for a range of other issues.

EXAMPLES: alternative horse transport (eg, if members breakdown on the roadside), overnight accommodation for horses if home is too far away, help with horses if the member is injured at a show – check the website for more examples. http://sites.google.com/site/eeaworld/

The criteria for free membership is any person (or company) who provides any type of call out assistance for people travelling with horses. Companies will charge their usual fees.

The website also has a list of useful information, such as a CPR chart, horse vital signs and first aid information, plus links Traffic and Road Conditions, Weather, and an exhaustive Travel Check List.

Membership is easy – people can join by completing a brief registration form. Each month, an updated contact list of members will be distributed to other EEA members. The Phone List only contains the member’s first name, mobile number and area plus other comments about the help they can provide.

Canada has its first Bill to ban horse slaughter!

A big thank you to NDP MP Alex Atamanenko and horse supporters everywhere for this huge, historical step toward banning horse slaughter in Canada.
Bill C-544, "An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Meat Inspection Act (slaughter of horses for human consumption)", was tabled on June 16, 2010 by MP Alex Atamanenko.

On June 16, 2010, a Private Member's Bill to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption was tabled in Canadian Parliament by MP Alex Atamanenko (NDP Agriculture Critic). The basis of the bill is the fact that horses are not food-producing animals and many are treated with drugs that are prohibited from entering the human food chain.

This bill is a huge step forward in the movement to abolish a cruel, archaic and unnecessary industry, and we applaud Mr. Atamanenko for his monumental initiative.

What can horse advocates do to ensure that this bill becomes law?

There is a process involved: All Private Member's bills must be debated and pass three readings. In order to move forward, a vote must take place and a bill must have the support of the majority of Members of Parliament.
For more information on this process please click on the link below:
http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/leg_proc_canada.pdf.

Product News

Barefoot Treeless Saddle News
The Barefoot Cherokee will get some of the same lovely features that were introduced with the Lexington (Barefoot Dressage) saddle last year:

• - a clever V - girthing system
• - an adjustable Velcro stirrup attachment
• - an air pump system for the kneepad

Natalie says it will be available with the new features from early July. I still have a fair few Cherokee’s in stock without the new features, these will be on sale @ 10 % discount from today until sold out. The Cherokee with the new features will retail @ $1200 meaning there is no increase in price.


I now have the new xxl pommel inserts, these are semi flexible. They fit all the Barefoot models except those with horn. They create a lot more lateral stability on the very round equines than the soft insert. The soft insert is most useful for rehab purposes and for horses with asymmetrical shoulders.
We have a new western saddle, the Barefoot ‘Arizona Nut’ which is a hybrid between the Arizona and the expensive Missoula, it will retail with fenders and nice! oxbow stirrups for $1750, available in size 1 and 2 but is a ‘special order’, meaning I need a firm order/deposit to bring them into the country for the individual customer.

Go to www.horse-connection.com.au

Book Review
Clicker Training: Colt Starting the Natural Horse by Leslie Pavlich

“After over 20 years of training experience with horses I discovered Clicker Training" says Leslie who explains;

"Clicker Training is a new type of training that allows you to use Positive Reinforcement to its fullest. I was able to do things with horses that I had never dreamed of before. I want to share with you what I have found. This book is the result of over 4 years working with 50 different horses using Clicker Training as my main training tool.
This book is a step by step guide for taking a horse that has never been touched to the beginning of riding combining Clicker Training and Natural Training techniques. If you have a young colt, one of the wild ones, or just want to retrain Old Faithful this book can do that for you.
Join me in this new journey of discovery and you too can have a new outlook for your horse.”

On the website you can see the entire chapter and contents list, plus read the Introduction, Chapter 1 – Understanding Clicker Training, Chapter 4 – Getting to Know your Horse and Chapter 10 – Feet handling.
Leslie’s website also has a quite a few free training videos that show clicker training with an un-touched horse and various other fun things you can teach your horse. www.clickhorse.info/Freevideo.htm

But best of all, she offer online clicker training courses and private lessons so if you’d like to get started and need some help, these courses can be done from anywhere in the world.
There are also some Teleseminar recordings with Leslie on the site so lots of opportunities to see and hear how educating with positive reinforcement can help you and your horse have a better relationship.

To buy this book or see Leslie's website go to www.clickhorse.info/Book.htm

Readers News

Kaya Femmerling reports: I am just managing to 'arrive' back in civilisation, after I spent a few days with Jen & Jeremy out in the desert, as part of the filming for our documentary on Natural Hooves which I am co-producing...
We had the most amazing time out there, and it is definitely a place I want to go back to , and would love to move out there with my horses... because it is DRY !!!!!

This photo shows a moment of absolute 'time-standstill'... these brumbies CAME TO ME !!!! About 5 m close they came to me in the end, and I could feel their breath over my head....

This absolutely gorgeous little guy named Lars was a suprise package from Lily the donkey who featured in last month's article on Donkey Hooves.

Lily and Lars - pics by their owner, Leonie in Victoria.

True motherly love!

If you have a photo or any news about your horses you would like to share

Events News

Recycled Ribbon Fun Day Gymkhana
Saturday 14th August 2010, Westbury Showgrounds - 9am Start
Entry $25,Topsy $15,HWT Discount $5 per horse, Day Insurance $10
NEAT CASUAL DRESS IS ACCEPTABLE - NO NEED TO PLAIT
Bitless Bridles welcome

Any ribbons that you don’t want would be gratefully received.
Horse Welfare Tasmania, P.O.Box 296 Sheffield, Tasmania 7306

www.horsewelfaretasmania.com Email: info@horsewelfaretasmania.com

Zen Connection with Horses – the 12 day Super clinic October 2010
You learn how to have deep abiding, connection with your horse, how to communicate with your horse, clearly, at every level.

In addition to a wide range of horsemanship, riding and confidence skills for you and your horse, we are going to cover my unique and particularly powerful version of Bowen muscle therapy for horses, learning how to use a pendulum for the muscle work and other healing and how to apply your horse communication within a healing session for your horse.

You will learn Usui reiki healing Level 1, for 2 days with the extraordinary Vivian Healey. You will cover some pasture management, feeding and supplements, teeth and bits, feet shape and its effect on the body, you will even have a saddle fit done on your horse – every aspect of horse health and horse care that I could think of.

You will have 2 Indian head and feet massages from the talented Sheila Angeloni and one healing session with me.
You will learn how to create/manifest in harmony with your horse and then in harmony with the environment.
You will go home energized, rejuvenated, relaxed and with a blueprint for happiness with your horse.

There are two super clinics next year – March and October 2010. $1600 for a riding position for the 12 full days. There are no additional fees for staying or camping here, although we can arrange a caravan to be brought in for you at a cost. Bring your own food, the supermarket is 4 kms away. Cooking for each other has always been a serious part of the fun of clinics here.

Some of my horses make themselves available for people coming from overseas and interstate.

Non riders – $80 per day for 12 days =$960 includes the Bowen course, the reiki healing attunements and classes, all lectures, communication work with my horses, massages, healing – basically everything except the riding.

Click here for more information.

Equitana - Nov. 18-21st, 2010 in Melbourne

After only a week, the Super Tickets are already 70% sold! With such superb value, Super Ticket’s have been running out the door faster than the EQUITANA team could have imagined. As each day of EQUITANA is as exciting as the next, there is no best day, ALL days are a must, and the Super Ticket is the answer.

There are only a limited number of Super Tickets available, the EQUITANA team recommends you get on line and make your booking as soon as possible!

Remember: If you have limited time, there are also other options for clinics and single day entries as well!

BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!
www.equitana.com.au 1300 765 929

Nevzarov Haute Ecole workshops with Maurizio Patti
Maurizio Patti Australian workshops have definite dates in November and December this year. Sascha Day www.pathofthehorse.com.au has organized with Maurizio to present a number of three day workshops here at Waterfall Creek www.waterfallcreek.com.au from the 23rd of November to the 5th of December.
Very simply, the Nevzorov School teaches the very highest possibilities, understandings and honest friendship between horse and man.
The School’s main rules are that a horse may not be taught with pain causing tools. This means no bit or bridle, no halters or straps upon the head.
Likewise anything that forces a horse or takes away her right to choose is completely omitted.
A horse can only be free; free of bondage, free from fear and with freedom to express him or herself and to make choices to come or go.
Maurizio Patti, Official Nevzorov Haute Ecole Representative in Italy has been a student and follower of Alexander Nevzorov and the NHE School for nearly four years.
Maurizio believes completely in the freedom of a horse, that a horse owes us nothing and that extraordinary things can be accomplished simply through the expression of genuine kindness and friendship.
Maurizio also has a strong knowledge of physiologically correct barefoot hoof trimming and always places a horse’s wellbeing as the highest goal.
Click here to find out what you can expect to learn from Maurizio’s workshop.

Cost for participation in 3 day workshop with Maurizio is $550 AUD per person.
Accommodation is extra and ranges from $100 (room) - $60 (camping) per day, fully catered. Contact: Glenn and Kelly at Waterfall Creek Country Guest House
149 Waterfall Creek Rd, Tallangatta Valley. VIC 3701. ph 02 6071 0210
See www.waterfallcreek.com.au
To book your place in the workshop, contact Sascha at thehappydayz@bigpond.com or P: 02 6236 8609 M: 0419 095 790.

2011 Courses with Sam and Sascha Watson in Western Australia -from www.horsesandhorsemen.com
January 3 - 12th Challenge 1A, and simultaneously Challenge 2A/3A Mixed Multi-level. Sam will be on 1A, Sascha on the Multi-level.
January 15th - 19th Advancing Liberty This is for anyone who has done one of the First Liberty Courses.
January 25th - 29th Level one liberty course. This is for people who have never done a liberty course with us. The pre-requisite is to have attended a Challenge 1A course - at least - both the rider and the horse.

Parelli 3 * instructor Chris Corbidge
5 day L2/3 course at STQHA Pontville - Jan 22nd-26th 2011
Bookings contact Chris at http://www.chriscorbidge.com.au

EQUUS LESSONS – PRIVATE & GROUP
Tuesdays & Saturdays

EQUUS HORSEMANSHIP WORKSHOPS
2nd Sunday of each Month 9am Kids 10am Young Horses 1pm Adults
Ph. Melissa on 0448 399755.

See www.equusequestriancentre.com for more details.

FREE EVENT LISTING
www.naturalequipment.com.au is offering a link on their website for Upcoming Events, it is free for anyone to list their event.
Keep it in a simple format- Date, Type of Event, Instructor, Contact Details.
So if you would like to be included, please just send me through the info, either in an email or as a Word attachment to d.woodl@bigpond.net.au

Classifieds

FOR SALE: Arab mare, chestnut 14.3, 13 years, sired by Callaza with imported bloodlines. Lovely confirmation, and movement. Has been used as a brood mare, and light trail riding. Has done basic natural horsemanship. Good home only. $1500 neg. Phone Louisa on 0400913574

FOR SALE - Barefoot London Treeless Saddle in very good condition, complete with pad and stirrup leathers with calf guards.Phone Merry on 0407 000 140 or 6334 6148

The EQUUS SHOP is now only ON-LINE.
Anybody wanting to view items or sell items may do so via appointment only.
ON-LINE SHOP is always being updated so pop the following link on your favourites and visit us regularly
www.equusequestriancentre.com/Shop.html

Classified Adds are free if you send them in the body of an email and if you have a photo it must be under 200kb in size. Please submit them before the 10th of each month for publication.

Back to Top - the Previous 3 newsletters from April to June2010 are here