Natural Horse World Newsletter

It's wonderful to have finally had some rain and with a tank full of water it feels like the drought has broken. The weather is still warm enough to grow grass but the lovely green tinge is already presenting problems for some horse and pony owners.

When grass has been stressed by drought and suddenly has a growth spurt, it contains toxins which are designed to protect it from over grazing. Our domestic horses not having a lot of choice when confined to small areas (less than 1,000 acres!) can be affected by this grass, commonly called the 'Autumn flush'. Cases of lamintis in prone equines increase at this time of year, almost the same as in spring.

Horses who haven't had a severe laminitic epsiode may show minor symptoms such as tenderness when ridden on gravel, or shortness of stride and refusal to jump.

Some horses can even show signs of ' grass staggers' - which are exciteability, nervousness, a staggering unsteady gait or trembling. An excellent site for information of how mycotoxins affect horses (and these occur in other grasses, grains and hay as well) is www.horsetalk.co.nz

Horses that show symptoms of any being affected by grass or other toxic plants such as capeweed and flatweed (false dandelion) do well if fed additional magnesium.

Magnesium plays a role in the metabilism of the muscular and nervous systems. One very good high quality source is a product developed in New Zealand called Placide. It is an organic chelate - the highest grade available and inlcudes boron which is required to reduce the excretion levels of magnesium. Placide is now available through the Natural Horse World Web Shop and you can read a more detailed product review here.

One of the great benefits of broadband is the ability to 'surf the net' so much faster and research all sorts of topics, along with the ability for people from all over the world to 'find' you and connect to share good ideas and info.

A recent connection reminded me of a book I'd found a while back and pre-ordered on the strength of the reviews it received and Joe Camp's web site. Joe is best known for his movie making skills, notably about 'Benji' the loveable dog.

While Joe hasn't had many years of experience with horses, he has entered their world with his eyes open and an inquiring mind, researching what's best for the horse and putting it into practive to observe the benefits on his own herd. No doubt we'll find out a lot more in the book so if you're interested in pre-ordering, Amazon.com have a great price and will be mailing out orders from the end of this month.

"Joe Camp has to write another book - and soon! Joe is a wonderful story-teller. The book is lively, stimulating, delightful, educational, amusing, entertaining, charming, a pleasure to read and totally lovable. Joe Camp I am in your debt. Thank you!"
Robert Cook FRCVS PhD
Professor of Surgery Emeritus
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Tufts University

"The Soul of a Horse is beautiful. Everyone who reads this book will laugh a little, cry a little, and think a lot; about the horse, about mankind, and about themselves."
Pete Ramey
Author, Speaker, Hoof Rehabilitation Specialist

"Yes, it's a "horse" book... but really, it's so much more. This book is about relationships, choices, acceptance, trust, compromise, and love. Take the horses out of it, if you wish, and it tells stories of life lessons and teaches that the quality of life is often in the choices we make."
Susan Sherlock
Recording Artist

"I can't imagine anybody reading this book and not smiling, laughing, and shedding a tear or two. Joe does a great job telling a story and it was great to re-live the "new to horses" feelings all over again. Especially through the eyes of somebody that does such a great job letting us feel all of the emotional excitement, drama, reward, fear and other emotions and feelings that we all get from our horses."
Karen Chaton
National Endurance Riding Champion.

When I was a teenager, I came to realise that you had to be smarter than horses! So I learned from an early age to think ahead and think laterally to overcome problems which most of the time turned into opportunities. Recently one of my horses was out-smarting me. Ikey who is a 14.2hh Riding Pony cross, had learned to withstand the shock of the electric fence tape if he ducked his head low and made a run for it!

He was getting under tape that was less than 30cm (1 foot) off the ground so he could munch the nice long grass in the centre of the track he was on with the five other horses. They are all fat so I'm running them on a perimeter track and allowing them a small strip of fresh grass at various places around the track each day.

Finally I thought up a solution that has so far stopped him ducking under - every time he puts his head down to make a run for it, the wire on the halter touches the tape and then touches his neck and head to deliver a shock earlier - I think his thick mane was protecting him from the initial shock which then allowed him to get halfway under before getting another one if at all.

I used a nice flexible but thick piece of fence wire with a loop on the end so he didn't accidently injure another horse. I did have to untangle it from his mane one morning, but that issue was solved by plaiting his mane loosely in a running plait so it was comfortable for him to lower his head, and it kept the mane on the other side of his neck.

If you put this set up together (you can email me for a more detailed photo of how to fix the wire on the halter), make sure no sharp ends can connect with the horse, and use a snug fitting halter. You will also need to lead or move the horse around a bit online when you first put it on to ensure they are not frightened by the wire, and to see that it doesn't wobble around too much at the trot and touch their ears.
I would only reccommend you use this solution in a paddock clear of trees and obstacles as the wire could get snagged - and make sure you are checking the horse at least twice a day.

I only had to leave this on Ikey for two days and he had got the message - clever pony!

Minerals are manufactured int he soil so where your horse's feed is grown will dictate the minerals it has. If your horse is mainly pastured it's a good idea to have your soil tested and if it is lacking, then address that by supplementing the pasture, rather than the horse.

Be extremely cautious when supplementing minerals to your horse as one mineral may interfere with the absorbption of others and imbalances and toxic levels may occur.

Minerals can be organic or inorganic. Organic minerals are simply substances that are bonded to an organic material. In the old days, these types of minerals were referred to as chelates, but you may now also see names such as proteinate, or a description of the organic mineral such as polysaccharide mineral complex. Inorganic versions of these compounds are usually referred to sulfates or oxides.

Organic minerals properly supplied with a balanced diet prevent muscle abnormalities, developmental orthopedic disease, and other health issues. Problems may arise when the minerals are not adequately metabolized by the horse. This is rarely the case with the organic minerals.

There are many natural sources of minerals and vitamins that we can supplement with little detrimental affect. These include kelp, rosehips, garlic, dolomite, apple cider vinegar and sea salt.

"So what is the best way to do that?" I hear you say.

It really depends on your situation, how you feed and what you supplement with.

If you are bucket feeding a performance horse or breeding stock, then adding supplements to their feed is easy - but be careful what you're giving doesn't conflict with any prepared feed mixes.

Be aware that almost all prepared feed and mineral mixes are designed for the 'average' type of horse on the 'average' type of soil. You need to know what your soil is lacking in, and supplement with that. Or in some cases your horse may show some reliable physical signs such as a faded, curly on the ends coat indicating a copper deficiency, or erratic behaviour in spring when the grass is at it's richest indicating more magnesium needed.

But what if your horse lives in a herd and doesn't need regular bucket feeds?

Then free choice minerals may be the best way to offer them. There are a couple of ways to do this - take a selection of supplements like the natural ones suggested above, out to the horse each day in a small bucket and leave it with them while the weather is fine. These supplements are ususally too expensive to risk being ruined by rain.

This method will suit the 'at home' horse owner who can retrieve the buckets or just leave them with the horses to take what they need while they attend to grooming or paddock maintenence. .

For those that don't have the luxury of living with their horses it's easier to have free choice minerals under cover either in a shelter shed or if you haven't got one of those, make something up like the apple bin above converted to hold the minerals. Facing it away from the prevailing weather will protect the contents.

Whatever form of feeding minerals you adopt, remember that horses always need free choice salt so it is imperative to supply a block to lick or if you can keep it under cover, loose or rock salt.

Many mineral or salt licks can contain a high amount of molasses that encourages the horse to gorge and costs you a fortune so look for blocks that contain 3% molasses or less.

Click here for more comprehensive information on feeding mineral supplements.

Also - Katy Watts from www.safergrass.org has a new CD on Minerals so go to her web site for lots of good info or to purchase a copy.

CONGRATULATIONS to Kristal Berry who has become the first Tasmanian student to complete the TAFE Certificate 3 Hoof Care Course. Kristal lives at Franklin and has now taken on learning about boat building so she can sail off around the world with her partner. Not many seahorses need a trim but I'm sure Kristal will be keeping her skills handy for those horses she comes across in her travels.

FROM KRISTAL: The course for me was great fun and a wonderful learning opportunity. I have met some inspiring and interesting people (and horses!) along the way. From the TAFE course I learnt not just how to trim hooves but a whole new paradigm on how to look after a horse, not just for my own enjoyment, but to really understand what it takes to meet the horses needs so that they may have a healthy happy life. From all of the horse owners I have met, one thing is clear, they love their horses but .... the knowledge is just not there on what is best for the horse. This course is a giant step in promoting the needs of the horse.

So you are all making a huge difference in the lives of many horses.

My favourite parts of the course were, assessing conformation and soundness at an endurance ride, seeing the transformation of a chronic foundered horse, creating an imaginary paddock paradise, hoof dissections, being "on the road with Jen and Jeremy", and the information packed 2 weeks study as a group at the start of the course. I loved the hands on trimming and the presentation of information.

For me now I will continue to trim a few horses and rave on to as many horse people that are willing to listen on Natural Hoof Care! I will recommend the TAFE course to competitive riders, pleasure horse owners, people looking to become trimming professionals and anyone interested in providing the very best care for their horses.

Well done guys and thanks for being out there making a difference!
Kristal Berry
TAFE Certificate 3 Equine Hoof Care Graduate 2008.

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS ALSO to Carol Ferguson from Lower Longley, Tas. who has also just graduated in this course.

THE NEXT COURSE intake will start in June with the two week live-in block from the 16th to the 27th.
For Trimmers Australia wide wishing to gain a National Trade Qualification at an affordable price, TAFE Tasmania is now taking enrolments for its next corse.

TAFE offer a practical, hands on course perfectly suitable for trimmers wishing to either start or take their business to the next professional level. This course is also suitable for the horse owner who wants to learn more than could be covered in a clinic, for trimming their own horses.

Certificate III in Equine Hoof Trimming gives trimmers a thorough grounding in all facets of hoof care, also including business management, marketing, horse handling and OH&S.
Trimmers completing this course will be able to present themselves as professional tradesmen and giving them a background of training that will allow them to work with veterinarians on hoof pathologies and provide a service to the horse owner as a competent and knowledgable trimmer.

For the two intakes in 2007, TAFE have used lecturers such as Dr. Kendell Crocker covering anatomy, Dr. Adam Richardson covering radiography, Dr. Bob Clippingdale, veterinarian and chiropractor covering saddle fit, chiropractic issues, Gaynor Ross - covering body work, leading Australian endurance vet Dr. Pat Hodgetts covering movement and soundness, RSPCA officers covering animal welfare, Boot inventor Dave McDonald covering booting, leading horse handler and instructor Cynthia Cooper covering horse handling, psychology, feeding and environment, Jeremy Ford - the first Australian to gain USA accreditation with Jaime Jackson covering trimming, Jen Clingly professional trimmer and leading barefoot endurance rider also covering trimming, business and marketing, Marg Richardson - successful barefoot endurance rider and trimmer covering customer relations etc. Just to name a few!

For further information please contact Marg Richardson on 64 272255 or apply for an enrollment form with Loretta at TAFE loretta.satterly@tafe.tas.edu.au

As teachers of the TAFE course we thought it important to keep up with new findings on hoof care so Jeremy, Jen, Marg and myself set off to Melbourne on April 1st to attend the second of Dr Bowker's seminars in Australia. He was visiting to present part of the new Diploma Course in Bare Hoof Care so it was a bonus that he was also organised by the very capable Rebecca Scott to lecture at the Werribee Faculty of Veterinary medicine.

There were also four students of the TAFE course there too - well done Leigh, Zilla, Barb and John for making the effort.

Photo: Dr Bowker discusses slices from cadaver legs and hooves. What a fascinating way to see what's happing inside the hoof and leg.

The first day was spent in the lecture theatre learning how we need to think outside the box, and that what we've been doing to the horse is not good for them.

Dr Bowker presented his findings on how the digital cushion and lateral cartilages develop, and how blood flow through the hoof can help or hinder this.

It seems blood flow, which translates to movement is the all important factor in developing and healing a horse's hooves, especially in the young horse. Environmental stimulation is the key to producing a good hoof - more so than genetics.

We need to get the horse as comfortable as possible on it's hooves as quickly as possible to start the healing process, and that can be done with the aid of boots and pads which Bowker discovered don't necessarily need to be very thick. In fact Dr Bowker stressed that the sole plug of dirt is important to provide support to the hoof, which pads or standing on pea gravel can also do.

The sole plug neutralises imperfections in the hoof and the larger surface area creates smaller loads internally.

Frogs howerver, don't like constant pressure - they respond better to pressure and release.
Most importantly he stressed we have to listen to the horse and know that it's never too late to rehabilitate the hoof. Changing the hoof from the inside is more important than from the outside so use boots to create better movement and blood flow when riding.

Dr Bowker's own studies on movement in the domestic horse have revealed that horses on pasture can move more than 5km a day (or 6-8,000 steps) as compared to a stalled horse moving less than 1km or (less than 1,000 steps) a day.

Of course this falls a long way short of the 20 or 30 kilometres a day that wild horses have been recorded doing.

One of the great benefits of the seminar was being able to network with other trimmers, farriers and vets. I spoke to Brian Hampson who is undertaking his PhD studies with Prof. Chris Pollitt, to work out a way of improving the hoof health of the domestic horse, partly by increasing their movement. He is using GPS tracking collars to measure the distance feral horses cover in Queensland and NT, and putting collars on domestic horses kept on various sized paddocks ranging from 2 to 200 acres in a variety of configurations. .

There are many variables in this experiment, some being the shape of the paddock or track used and how the horses are accessing feed and water. So far perimeter tracks, loops and mazes have been tried with varying results.

I offered for my herd to take part in this research so we can see what affect a larger group and a different climate and feeding system has. GPS collars are on their way and I should be able to let you know the results in the next newsletter. Check on this project's web site here.

On the second day we spent morning in the pathology lab, looking at various cadaver hooves, slices of hooves from various angles and feeling digital cushions before dissecting the hoof to confirm what our fingers were telling us.

The most interesting part of this morning though was when a racehorse that had been euthanased at the track that morning, was brought in for a routine post mortem. The University of Veterinary medicine has a contract to do post mortems on all racehorses euthanased at the track so despite the fact that it was rather gruesome, it was a fascinating procedure to watch. Not so easy on the nose!

Sadly the horse was a two year old filly who's hooves revealed some traumatic history in the repeated hoof rings and lateral flaring.

The fetlock of the broken leg showed some old scarring from an injury which could have been the beginning of the hoof deforming. Coupled with a very recent shoeing job that one respected farrier admitted wasn't 'too good', and the stresses on that leg could have easily been compounded when running fast and/or landing unevenly due to the track surface, resulting in the fracture.

Photo: This picture shows the imbalance in the hoof, with the right side flared and lower than the left. The shoe has been set outside the hoof wall on the right which could have added to the lateral forces on the leg.

While I was busy photographing the leg and hoof which had been removed for the 'leg researcher' to dissect, Jeremy was photographing the stomach ulcers and worm damage to the gut in this young filly.

Another interesting piece of information was recorded when the brain was removed from the skull, causing the back of the skull to break off - apaprently that doesn't usually happen so perhaps this filly's bones were lacking in strength? Could mineral deficiency have contributed?

There are so many questions to answer when a horse dies of an apparently straight forward accident. You'd need to be a very good detective going back to the horse's conception to find out what could have led to her demise at such an early age - one of many in the racing industry sadly.

Photo: This is why it's called an 'icebag fracture' - the bones have literally exploded under impact inside the pastern!

The seminar ended with a tired Dr Bowker showing slides of the inner workings of the hoof at the molecular level. Fascinating stuff and important information to know about for treating all too common cases of navicular and laminitis.

For me, the interesting parts were discovering how a foal's hooves develop internally and the importance of trimming and keeping our young horses moving to develop that elusive 'gravel crunching' bare hoofed horse.

I'm looking forward to both Dr Bowker's further research on how much and when a domestic horse moves most, along with Brian's studies on how best to provide our average domestic horses with the movement they need within the time frames we have for exercising them.

Product Reviews - Cool Heat Blanket

For the past six years I've not used a blanket on my horses unless they have been ill or old and chilled to the bone by wet windy weather.

As an advocate of a more natural life for horses, it seems strange that I should be reviewing a horse blanket (rug as we say here), but this one is different so worthy of consideration for the times when you do need to use some extra cover for your horse.

Dave MacDonald of Macs Equine invented the Old Mac Hoof Boots and is always trying to think of new products to solve old problems. This time I think he's come up with another winner for the horse and the owner.

This revolutionary 'Cool Heat' blanket has an insulating system which allows the horse to regulate it's own body temperature using its natural thermo-regulation process. There is a good explanation of this on the Macs Equine Web Site so have a look if you're not sure how 'piloerection' works.

As you can see in the photo at left, the inside of the blanket is covered in rows of raised rubber-like fingers that allow the majority of the horse's hair to work as nature intended - standing up when it's cold and laying flat when it's warm. The air can also freely circulate under the blanket so it helps dry off a wet or damp horse when blanketing after it rains or when the horse has been washed or hosed down.

This blanket also fits really nicely being shaped high around the neck line so there is no pulling or pressure on the wither. The long chest darts allow good freedom for the shoulders and even after my horses rolled in the rug, it stayed evenly in place.
The fingers on the underside would help this as they keep the weight even on both sides and run either side of the backbone. The blanket is suprisingly light too - it's 600 denier ripstop waterproof material is seamless and is breathable and, it looks great - just like other top of the range rugs.

The Cool Heat Blanket also has a generous tail flap, soft nylon leg straps and crossover surcingles. If your horse has to wear a blanket and you are away when the day warms up, the horse will be far more comfortable in a Cool Heat blanket than any other.

This product certainly gets my tick of approval so when you need to replace your old rug or just want the best for your horse, consider the Cool Heat first.

Cool Heat Blankets are available from the Natural Horse World Shop and other distributors around Australia listed on the Macs Equine web site, and the RRP is $244. Until May 30th the Natural Horse World Special Introductory offer includes postage in the price, within Australia, saving you approx. $20.

Another very practical Macs Equine Invention provides a cover to keep the chills out and the rain off you, and your expensive saddle while riding or when dismounted.

As you can see in the picture here, the pad is a neat wool kersey material, with the cordura bag attached at the front containing a waterproof skirt (as shown in the photo below). The bag zips up and can also be used to hold other items such as cold drinks/food in the summer, when you don't need wet weather protection with you.

The skirt quickly folds out when you need it and fastens around your waist or over the saddle with velcro tabs. A velcro leg strap secures the skirt to your leg and if you happen to part company with your horse (deliberately or not!) then the velcro tabs all release

so you are never trapped.

When you are not on your horse, the skirt keeps your saddle dry or protects it from dirt, dust and marks made by tree branches brushing past on the trail.

When you're finished using it, the skirt rolls back up easily into the bag on the front of the pad in less than a minute.

The Dry Seat Saddle Pad also offers good wind protection to keep you warm while riding on chilly days and doesn't restrict your movement in the saddle. The skirt material is also nice and 'quiet', so less likely to spook nervous horses with the sound but it's always recommended that you 'desensitise' your horse with it over the saddle by moving actively online, before riding with it on.

This wonderful product is suitable for all outdoor riders, especially those who ride trails, endurance, mounted search & rescue and at pony club.

It is available in English and Western sizes in both navy and maroon, and is a thin enough to go over another saddle pad such as the Theraflex air pad or other theraputic pads. To see more photos go to the Macs Equine web site.

Now available from the Natural Horse World Store for the RRP of $160 with a special introductory offer until the 30th May that includes postage & handling within Australia, saving you approx. $20.

Erin and her purebred arabian gelding 'Tierview Madji' (who was a virtually unhandled 6yo 9 months ago!) enjoyed the TMCA ride to Lake Augusta.

Joylene takes 'Maelong Anawa's Marionette' for a swim during the lunch break at the TMCA Lake Augusta ride.

Katrina McKay recently wed her long time partner, John Kelly in a ceremony that involved both their horses and the chidlren's ponies. Benjamin safely carried Katrina sitting sideways to the beautiful tree lined creek where John had ridden, arriving at a gallop with a sliding stop on his campdrafting stockhorse, Sam. The ponies carried their girls, Lydia and Shannon led by friends, Liz and Fiona.

This beautiful art photo was designed by Kim Maxwell who is a professional artist/photographer & specialises in animal photography.
If you would like her to capture your beloved furry friends in a living portrait
call Kim on 6396 3281.

One of the great things about breeding horses is watching them mature into beautiful adults and even more special is them coming back home to be started under saddle.

Pictured above and below is Neo (half Friesian) with Lee working with him in preparation for the saddle.

Wallbrook stud's Friesian Colt, Remus, scooped the pool when he won Supreme Champion
of champions at both recent young stock shows at Westbury.

Tiny has come along way from thinking she was a sheep only 6 weeks ago.
Paul sent in this pic of her first ride.

There are some fabulous web sites out there that I've added to my links page.

Rhythm beads are a fun, useful tool and decorative too. Those in the USA will find Rhythm-n-beads a good place to source their set.

Here's a photo from www.imagineahorse.com where Allen Pogue shows you some fantastic imaginative tasks for horses at liberty. He is also an advocate for training horses from foals and teaches his to sit in a beanbag alongside mum who is also sitting in a beanbag - makes veterinary treatments a breeze!

One of his DVD's is on its way to be reviewed in the May newsletter and one lucky subscriber will have the chance to win a copy . Keep an eye out for the details.

APRIL
19th - Macs Equine Day & launch of the Cool Heat blanket THIS SAT. (details below)
19-20: Barefoot trim clinic at Broadhanger Equestrian Centre in Kalkallo Vic. Ph. 93088119.
25-27: Comfort Zone Spirit of Horse Clinic with Jenny Pearce. Contact Cynthia.
26-27: David Stuart clinic re-scheduled. (see below for more info).
26-28: Equine Touch Level 1 Foundation Clinic with Jock Ruddock at Lilydale.

MAY
1-3: Agfest at Carrick - Tasmania's biggest agricultural expo.
10 - Comfort Zone Group with Cynthia at Harveydale. Westbury (more info below)
10 - THRRO Car Boot Sale at the Lauderdale Tavern. $10 per site. Ph. Suzie 0417 304 313.
30-2nd June: Brumby Tour from Alice Springs, NT. with Wild About Hooves. See below for more info.

THIS SATURDAY! April 19th - RURAL SOLUTIONS MACS EQUINE DAY & LAUNCH OF THE COOL HEAT BLANKET At Paradise Stud, 38 Saxon Drive, Acton Park.
This event is being hosted by 'Spirit of Equus' and starts with a trail ride at 9am then the opportunity to test out the new Cool Heat Blanket, the Dry Seat saddle Pad (as reviewed in this newsletter) and many other great products from Macs Equine and Spirit of Equus.
Rural Solutions will be giving away sample bags of their new Top Crop Lucerne Cubes and there will be a great range of Equine products on display.
There will be a BBQ, drinks and a raffle with all proceeds going to the Australian Equine Welfare Association TAS. so make the most of this opportunity to test ride some great products.
Enquiries to Rural Solutions on 62 692233 or Spirit of Equus on 62 487667.

DAVE STUART COURSES Rescheduled
David has rescheduled his clinic to the 26th and 27th of April. It is now being run as a Horsemanship Experience and will encompass a wider range of training activities. Cost is the same ( $150.00 per day – rider, $30 per day as an observer). There are a few spots left as some of our original riders cant make it on this weekend so if you are interested in replacing them, let me know as soon as you can so we can finalise the details.
Contact Jacqui Smythe on 0409 928 393 or email jacquismythe@ozemail.com.au

EQUINE TOUCH Level 1 Foundation Clinic/Seminar
Instructor from USA - Jock Ruddock
Sat 26 April – Mon 28 April at North Lilydale
For registration contact Elizabeth Stanfield 63951590
Cost: $450 for the 3 day clinic (includes morning tea and course manual) Deposit $100 payable on booking. For more info go to www.theequinetouch.com

THE WILD HORSE ADVENTURE - MAY 29 TO JUNE 1
Lets go Way Out Back! For those of you keen to observe the brumbies in their natural habitats in outback NT now is the time to book. Cheap flights are available!
Tiger Airlines have $59.95 flights from Melbourne to Alice Springs
Don't miss this opportunity - four day tour jam packed with brumbies, hooves, aboriginal culture, spectacular desert stars, and outback wildlife. enjoy luxury 4wd vehicles with awesome, experienced tour operators and guides of 'Way Out Back tour company ' catering to our every whim and wish.
Only $700 all inclusive (food, sleeping gear, drinks, transport and camping equipment).
Tax deductible for anyone running a hoof care business!
Contact Jen Clingly on 0408 838198 for further info and to book your tour place - spaces limited. (only 6 seats left!) $100 deposit will secure your seat.

COMFORT ZONE DAYS
The Comfort Zone Day is on the first Saturday of each month at 'Harveydale', Westbury from 9.30am to 3.30pm. This group study session is for people interested in deepening the level of communication and relationship with their horse through studying the E-Book 'Bobby's Diaries' by Jenny Pearce. All new participants must come along without their horse first and have the book so they have a basic understanding of the techniques used.

Cynthia guides and instructs the morning session starting with ground play and then riding.

Cost is $30 for the day which inlcudes one session of instruction in the morning and use of the grounds for the afternoon to take part in individual or group exercises.

Intending participants must email Cynthia (address below) to book in as numbers are limited to 10 horses.

FOR SALE: True black purebred arabian mare, Black Heart Shay, by Cherox Tchaikovsky. Rising 5, approx 14.3hh. Lovely movement and looks, needs experienced handler. Ph. Marg on 64 272275.

INFO WANTED :Do you know this horse pictured below? She is a Friesian x Th'bred about 12 yrs old and 15hh with a white sock on her near hind. Supposedly bred in the south. If you have any info please call Tanya on 0437174124 or 63931759.

FOR SALE: Very attractive quality 15 hh Cleveland Bay X Thoroughbred 5 yo mare. Started undersaddle at 3 yo. Turned out - very green. Needs experienced home to reach her potential. Would excel at eventing, jumping, etc. Good home essential. $3000 (reasonable offers considered) Phone 63 542324 or 0438 024516.

HORSE WANTED: looking for a new project horse that I can go on with.
I am after something 13hh - 17.3hh. 2 - 8yo. Will happily consider others.I am interested in something cheap or give away for a project horse that I can learn with and eventually show or jump, depending on the horses prefered field.
Luckily might even be both :) Will live on 1000 acres with another horse and clean water. Also will be hand fed and carefully looked after by knowledgable home. Please contact me ASAP if you know of or have something suitable. thanks in advance - Jess PH : 62635750

FREE TO GOOD HOME: 16yo Purebred arabian bay stallion, 14.3hh by Mustafa (imp.) x Quatta (Crabbet/Old Colonial lines with 4 crosses to Shahzada). Ph. Annette on 0438 678205.

Total Stud Dispersal: Southern Cross Boxer -Black 4 whites 3yr old proven Reg Shire stallion Dam: Mirabella Rose Sire: Cedars Charlie $14,500 including GST and Transport to Melb. Boxer is a wonderful young stallion with manners most mature stallions don't have. He hand serves with ease is green broken to ride and has proven himself as a sire by producing a really nice Shire and Shire x foals.

Ingelside Emily - True Black 3 whites 7 yrs Reg Appendix B Shire Mare Dam: Myrtle Park Julia Sire: Ingelside Might'n'Power $8,800 inc GST and Trasnport Melb. Emily is a sweet experienced mare in foal to Southern Cross Boxer foal due late Nov.

Tullymore Lady Margaret - Bay 4 whites 3 yrs Reg Appendix B Shire Mare Dam: Valmount Tia Maria Sire: Arclid Adonis. $9,900 including GST and transport Melb. Maggie is the kindest filly and is empty ready for this coming breeding season. Maggies blood lines are impeccable and she would be an asset to any stud.

Turnara Lodge Sierra - Bay 4 whites 6 mth old Reg Appendix B filly Dam: Phalaris Lilly Sire: Southern Cross Boxer. $6,600 inc GST and transport Melb. Sierra is a spunky foal with the world at her feet. She very well put together with lovely forward action. Sierra is float trained,taught to tie and pick up feet.

Arabinoro La Femme Nakita - Palomino 7 yrs Arab/ASH Dam: Dutch Courage Sire: Springdale Solitaire $2,200 inc GST and transport melb. Nicky is a pretty mare can be ridden but currently infoal to Southern Cross Boxer due Oct.

Turnara Lodge Lady Guinevere - Bay 4 whites 18mth old Reg Appendix B Filly Dam: Phalaris Lilly Sire: Arclid Adonis $9,900 inc GST and Transport Melb. Gweeny is a beautiful filly with potential to do well in the show ring loads of feather.

CJ - Chestnut Pinto mare 7 yrs Dam: Unknown Sire: Pally QH $3,300 incl GST and Transport Melb currently in foal Southern Cross Boxer due Nov. Cj is a willing mare and has thrown two very nice foals to two different stallions this will be her 2nd foal to Boxer.

For all further Enquires and Photos please ph. Alyssia on 63 834825 - some prices are negotiable.

GOOD HOME WANTED FOR: Elphyn Rasika 3yo Arab gelding (pictured left). Paddock mate only. For more information phone 62650600.

FOR SALE: Linseed (Flaxseed) - clean and almost food grade in 25kg bags for just $15 a bag. Clean oats and grass seed also available. Ph. 63 973593. Delivery to Deloraine available.

FOR SALE: Nissan Navara 4WD ST-R 2006 (nov 06) 3.0 litre turbo diesel - Tinted Electric windows - Remote central locking - Air con - Heavy duty tow kit - New tray liner -CD player - Air Bag - 53,000kms –Balance new car Warranty. As new vehicle in exc condition - REG TILL NOV 08 $33,500.00 must sell. Ph Kylie or Gene on 0407 021 135.

WANTED: Committee members for the Tasmania Horse Rescue and Rehab. Organisation. If you can help please phone Ph 0409 310 110. Web site: www.freewebs.com/thrro

If you have an add you would like included in the next newsletter please email it to me (in the body of the email written in lower case please) by the 31st of April for the May 2008 newsletter.
Advertising in the newsletter is free but exact wording must be supplied and photos must be reduced to less than 50kb as .jpg files.

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