Natural Horse World

In This Newsletter:
Foal Rejected then Accepted
Xmas Gift Ideas For Your Horse
Natural Medicine For Horses
New TAFE Course for Hoof Trimming
Make Your Own Hoof Bath in Minutes
More Paddock Paradise
Ask Cynthia - Why Does my Horse Have a Sour Attitude?
Subscriber's News & Photos
Events Guide for the New Year
Calendar & Classifieds

Hello Horselovers!

What a month we've had - Tess, the reluctant mother rejecting her foal presented a whole new learning opportunity for us that has been very time consuming but immensley rewarding.

Unfortunately, and probably because she was a maiden mare with an attitude, she rejected her beautiful palomino colt with savage bites. As her owner had handled her teats, I was able to milk her to get some vital colostrum into the foal, and through the milking she was able to accept him drinking while she was restrained.
At first we held her with a bucket of feed in front to keep her occupied, even shielding her view of the foal which worked but took 2 people initially every hour then ever 2 hours.
We then worked out a stall to enable the foal to drink safely while Tess was tied and eating. After a few days of this she was able to accept him without needing the stall but had to remain tied and supervised for every feed. She was also not producing much milk so from the first night onwards, we supplemented the colt with a milk replacer which was initially Deivetelact then we gradually swtiched over to Carnation milk over a 3 day period. He started by drinking from a bottle then we taught him to drink from a bowl with the aim of being able to leave milk available for him during the night when we wanted to extend our sleeping hours!
For the first week he was fed every 2 hours during the night and more often during the day when we could as we tried to stimulate Tess' milk flow by more frequent nursing.

We also 'clicker trained' her to bond with her colt, named Dakoda, by first getting her to 'target' or touch his bottle while he drank, then getting her to touch him through the bars of the stall.
After several incidents where as quick as lightening she lunged at him, connecting twice, we didn't want to risk this type of contact which resulted in his or our torn skin.
The next step was to make a muzzle so we could start to leave her with him for longer periods of bonding and this worked very well. By using the clicker intitally, we got her to touch him with the muzzle on and follow him around. It didn't take long for her to finally accept her baby and even become interested in him. Within a couple of days we could remove the muzzle, trusting that she would no longer try to bite him savagely.

Dakoda was still requiring extra milk but after 2 weeks we managed to cut the night feeds down to one very late and one very early morning feed but kept the frequent day feedings going. He learned to drink from a dog bowl with automatic water dispenser for his milk but we still needed to supervise him drinking from Tess as she wouldn't stand for him unless we were there.

Unfortunately, after three weeks her milk dried up and she became frustrated at not being able to provide for him, even though she was very bonded and now protective of him.

Luckily for Dakoda a foster mare became available so at three weeks old, he was trained to drink from a new mum, Amber, who within four days was accepting him as her own. We went through the same steps with her as with Tess to get her bonded as initially she pulled faces at this 'other mares' foal. Tess was initially seperated into a nearby yard but where she could still see Dakoda however this distracted both Koda and Amber from bonding properly so we had to remove Tess from the scene.
She walked away without looking back or calling so I guess she really wasn't fussed about being a mum.

Amber was then able to focus on bonding with Koda and now she looks upon him as her own in a very protective manner. Its wonderful to see them together and know that Koda will now be raised as a horse rather than thinking he's a human. Mind you, he still calls out to us and follows us whenever he gets the chance, much to his new mum's concern. Koda now has Amy to play with who is like a big sister keeping him in line. I'll keep you up to date with their progress in the next newsletter.

For those with foals who are not sure about how much or what education they should have and when, my Young Horse Training DVD has all the details available here or order online click here.

NEW SERVICES LISTING
In order to help peope find the products and service providers I use, I have put together a Services Listing page. If you can highly reccommend more people that provide excellent service, please email me so I can add to the listings.

Make your horse's Christmas fun too with these 'Horse Approved' presents;

Horse Toys such as a ball, cone, pallets to walk on, poles, tyres, tarp, drums, logs and other things to make playground challenges.
Comfort and Health Things such as a sand pit for rolling, gravel to walk on for hoof conditioning, hoof bath to soak in, mineral feeder for self serve minerals.
New equipment that is good for your horse such as a bitless bridle for more info click here, hoof boots, a liberty line or bareback pad - click here to see these.
Or, knowledge for you from the new DVD's and books available from www.naturalequipment.com.au
Perhaps a Gift Certificate for a future course, clinic or camp with Cynthia at Natural Horse World.

TAFE Tasmania is leading the way by providing a pilot course for a Certificate 3 In Equine Hoof Trimming which will be up and running in 2007. This course will have accreditied instructors such as Jeremy Ford (Certified with the American Assoc. of Natural Hoof Care) and Cynthia Cooper (Natural Horsemanship Instructor) working with ex-Farrier and TAFE teacher, Nathan Kerrison, Marg Richardson and Jen Clingly (Barefoot endurance riders) to provide an extremely comprehensive course on all aspects related to hoof trimming and horse care.
Students around Australia will be able to access the course on line with contact time to be available in Tasmania and at other locations around Australia, for eg. to study wild horses in the outback.
This course will enable trimmers to have a credible National Trade Certificate in Equine Hoof Care which will complement the currently available Certificate for Farriers.
Anyone interested in receiving more information should contact Nathan Kerrison at TAFE Tasmania on 0418 661241.

With the current drought a hoof bath for daily soaking will not only keep your horse's hooves healthy and supple, but easier to trim too. Here is an inexpensive version that takes minutes to put together once you have the following materials on hand;
4 poles or 'sleepers' - 2 long ones approx. 2m and 2 short ones of approx. 1.5m
2 pieces of old carpet 2.5m x 2m
1 piece of plastic pool liner or heavy duty tarp 2.5 x 2m

If you set the hoof bath up in front of your water trough the horses will need to put at least their front hooves in when they drink.
First put the poles in place as shown in the photo above, followed by a piece of carpet, then the pool liner topped with another piece of carpet.

Allow the horses a day or so of walking on it dry to get used to stepping into this strange area - you may even need to lead them through it first.
Then wet it down so there is no pooled water so they get used to the wet feeling before adding more water to make a shallow pool. You may need to lead the horse's through at each stage to ensure they can cope with stepping in to get their drink.
Alternatively, if your horse drinks from a stream or dam and their hooves are still very dry, you can set up the hoof bath for a longer soak just before trimming. By feeding them in the hoof bath, they will be happy to stand once they get used to walking through.

All new ideas and practices have learning curves so I'm inviting other readers who are experimenting with this way of keeping horses to send me feedback for my book. If you're not sure what Paddock Paradise is all about, see the July/August newsletter where I detail my initial set up. For more updates click here.

The herd on my track goes for a run joined by the mare and foal living in the centre who can feel part of the herd. A single electric tape allows the horses to interact over the fence.

The horses love to stop and survey their world from the highest point on the track.

This simple version of Paddock Paradise from Toni at Beauty Point shows how the grass in the middle of a paddock can be saved and used gradually while the horses live on the outside track where they have shelter and water.

"A few weeks ago I got bucked off Blaze. I know that it isn't a rare occurance when we have horses but it really scared me. We had been travelling really well up until then but something has changed....

We were riding in the round yard - me and Blaze with Rob on Fred. Blaze seemed very 'cranky' (ears back, reluctant to move forward) so I kept on persisting, trying to mix it up a bit - side passes and indirect rein etc. She was going ok until I asked her to walk on forward - ears flat to her head and rounding right through her body. She started to buck and to be quite honest, I would have won the rodeo if it was a comp... I managed to get flexion but then lost it again and she took one big buck and off I flew! Once I managed to scrape myself off the ground, I walked to her and she was shaking like a leaf! It really worried me that she was in such a state....

I am concerned that the saddle may not fit her perfectly so I'm getting my wintec fitted by a lady at Horseland AND I also got Gaynor Ross (Chiropractor) around to see Blaze. Blaze has an old injury to her front right foot and Gaynor thinks that she may have been caught in a fence when she was a baby and may have torn some muscles in her shoulder - but this shouldn't cause much pain now although we are working on the injury.

Anyway, I haven't ridden Blaze since (until I get the saddle checked) but I have been doing ground work with her nearly every day but she seems to 'dislike' me... When I do some circles, friendly - even brush her she puts her ears back on her head and stamps her back foot. She has even tried to take a half hearted kick at me when doing circles. Cynthia, what do I do?

I hope you can help me. I love Blaze so much and want us to be partners... Am I taking the wrong approach?" Cathryn.

Cynthia's Solution: You have done the right thing in getting Blaze checked out for possible physical causes for the issues you are having with her. The next consideration for a mare is to notice if this behaviour occurs all the time or just at certain times of the month. She may be experiencing hormone problems which can cause some mares to become crabby around the time they come into season. If this isn't the case then her dislike for you may be that she's trying to show you she's still higher in the pecking order - the same as she'd drive away a pesky youngster lower in the herd.

The ground work you do needs to establish a partnership where you are clearly the leader so maybe she has read from your body language that you you aren't a good leader yet and she is taking on that role. Check that you are not 'giving ground' to her - notice if she causes you to step out of her way or move backwards when she's coming close to you when you play ground games.
A good way to check this while circling is to place a marker such as a tyre or a cone in the middle of the circle and ensure that you walk around it as she circles. If she's pushing on you, you will step onto or behind the tyre or cone and you need to then correct this by pushing her out with the tail end of your rope or your training stick. If she has a kick at you, then drive her hindquarters away from you - keeping a shorter rope so she can't turn her hind end to you.

Other reasons she may show a sour attitude are a boring routine or she is learning faster than you are therefore not being challenged enough which is like your teacher asking you to repeatedly do something you mastered long ago (like your x tables or the alphabet). Try to play with her in an interesting way that is different every day by setting up different challenges and obstacles. Even moving the same obstacles to a different location can help. There are some good ideas for challenges on my Ideas Page that should help get your lateral thinking going.

It might also help to mix up or expand the type of training you do - for example horses that learn quickly love 'Clicker Training' and its a great way to improve your timing and thinking of how to break tasks down into achievable steps. For more info on Clicker Training go to my Book Review and my Links Page.
As for the riding, again, you're doing the right thing in checking saddle fit first. When that is sorted out it might be best to ensure that you have good communication and respect on the ground before attempting to ride again. When it is time to ride, spend only a small amount of time in the roundyard and incorporate some challenges like poles to walk over and cones to weave through.
Once you're sure she is responding well, go outside the yard to ride over the other obstacles you have or ask Rob and Fred to lead on a short trail ride at a walk. If you feel her starting to round up again in preparation for bucking, get off and make life uncomfortable for her so she is not rewarding for 'gettting you off'. Play some active, yielding games at the trot or if you're in the roundyard, tie your reins up safely and send her around at the trot or canter for several laps until she wants to acknowledge you and come in. Then get back on and just sit there for a while to give her comfort for having you on her back. Try to finish the riding session on a positive note by getting off when she has walked without wanting to buck, even for one lap around the yard, then she will give you more next time when she remembers that riding was not a big issue.

Remember that if you find yourself struggling to make progress then get hands on help from a reputable instructor.
Please let me know if my suggestions have been helpful. All The best, Cynthia.

Les Rees is a qualified practitioner of Natural Medicine for Horses and has opened a practice here in Tasmania.
She is particularly interested in stress related disease in horses and wrote her final assessment thesis on the subject. Stress can cause a lot of physiological symptoms which, if left untreated can perpetuate further behavioural problems in horses. But these symptoms can be treated very effectively with herbal medicine, good nutrition and a training regime that considers the natural learning behaviour of the horse.
Natural Medicine is the practice of holistic medicine and mostly requires more than one herb for the symptoms of disease. In Herbal Medicine the body is considered as a whole, each of its systems working in conjunction with the others in order to maintain a balance that keeps the horse healthy. If one system is weakened by disease it affects the other systems as they have to adapt their functioning to make up for the weakened physiological reactions, therefore the medicines used in treatments are aimed at the functioning of the whole body and not just specific parts where symptoms appear.

Unqualified chat room talk does not take this into consideration and can be not only misleading but detrimental to the health of horses, further more there are contraindications involved in the use of some herbs that could be unsafe for use in some circumstances. A recent example of this was a horse suffering from a chronic itching skin disorder causing the horse to rub the area until it became raw.
The owner had spent a lot of time asking advice from friends on how to deal with it and had spent a lot of money trying the various suggested remedies none of which had accomplished any success. As a result, the horse became stressed & difficult to handle due to the continued use of various washes and creams tried that only aggravated the condition. The reason being because, they could not work on their own.

It needed a holistic approach which was to address both the external and internal conditions to enable the healing of the whole body. Externally, the affected area was washed with Chamomile tea followed by an application of Chickweed & Calendula Cream.
Chamomile is a gentle soothing herb which contains nervine, sedative, anti-allergy and digestive actions all of which are useful for this problem. Chickweed has a vulnerary action which is excellent for the healing of wounds especially for those associated with itching and irritation. Calendula is the best herbal excellent antiseptic & anti-inflamatory.
Internally, the herbs Burdock, Yellow Dock, Cleavers, Vervain & Chamomile were used to rebalance the systems of the body through their combined actions.
Burdock has alterative, diuretic and bitter actions which cleanse the blood, aids the removal of excess water in the body supports the functioning of the kidneys and stimulates digestion all of which are important for the treatment of skin conditions.
Yellow Dock has alterative & hepatic actions which aids the cleansing of the blood and supports liver function by increasing the flow of bile. It also aids evacuation of the bowels. Cleavers has diuretic, alterative, anti-inflammatory & astringent actions which cleanse the blood, supports kidney function, aiding the recovery of inflamed tissues.
Vervain is a nervine which aids the reduction of stress in the body caused by the constant itching.
The owner was also advised to include Sulpha, Garlic, Rosehips & Kelp to the diet. Within two weeks there was a marked difference in the horse and within a month the symptoms had disappeared altogether.
Possible causes of this condition included checking the paddock and hay for undesirable weeds, change in diet, changes of paddock, availability of clean water; types of cleaning agents used (Shampoo etc); fly attack & stress related behaviour patterns etc.

From the above example you can see how the holistic approach works and how important it is to call in a qualified practitioner. It is not advisable to use these herbs without professional advice since the quantities used are finely balanced and can cause further problems if given in high doses.
The most common problem in horses is caused by wounds such as deep cuts usually around moving joints where they can’t be sutured which make it worrying for owners who envisage terrible scaring as a result. However, a combination of herbal medicines can heal the worst of wounds leaving very little scaring if any at all.
Horses respond extremely well to herbal medicine and it is relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

Les is also a supplier of most herbal medicines including individual preparations and packaged treatments, supplements and herbal first aid kits. For advice, supplies and consultations call Les: Mobile: 0438 586 705. Phone: (03) 6248 8552. Email: horsetail@netspace.net.au

EVENTS CALENDAR

JANUARY
24 –26 - THE EQUINE TOUCH COURSE- Three Day Foundation Course Ph.Liz Stanfield 0363951590/0428627959 - or go to www.theequinetouch.com
26,27,28th - Little Kids & Big Kids (adults) Adventure Camp with Cynthia at Golden Valley.
? Pony Pals - contact Steph (details below) for a date.

FEBRUARY
10th & 11th - Beginners Natural Horsemanship Clinic with David Stuart at Equus Equestrian Centre, Sandford. Ph. Jacqui on 62 481795 or 0409 928393.
11th - Safer Grass Clinic with Katy Watts from USA - Email Cynthia for more info or a registration form.
? - Pony Pals - contact Steph (details below) for a date.
25th - Lilydale Group Lesson Day with Cynthia - Ph. Liz on 63951590 to book as a rider or observer.

EVENTS GUIDE

Little Kids & Big Kids Adventure Camp - The annual January camp for 2007 will focus on fun and adventure for little kids (6-16) and big kids (over 16 to 60!) at Golden Valley.
Over the three days we will explore challenge courses, trails and fun games to play with ponies and horses while learning safe and natural ways to improve our horsemanship. Camp out with your horse/pony and have lunches catered for - BYO breakfast and evening meals (cooking facilities available).
Places are limited so book early - this would make a wonderful Christmas gift at just $150 per person or $250 for parent and child together. (Children under 13 must be accompanied by a parent who need not particpate with a horse). Email or Phone Cynthia to book your place.

Safer Grass Clinic - Presented by Kathryn Watts - Research Director
Rocky Mountain Research & Consulting, Inc. Colorado. USA.
Sunday the 11th February 2007 at the Deloraine Community Complex from 9am to 5pm.
Your investment: $90 which includes yummy lunch (all needs catered for) + morning/afternoon tea.
*If you’re a vet, farrier, hoof trimmer or horse owner, don’t miss it.

HAS YOUR HORSE……?
Foundered in the past?
Shown signs of lameness that is un-explained?
Shown a difference in movement and stride, especially on hard surfaces?
Had seedy toe, rings around the hooves, abcesses?
Shown signs of Cushings Disease?
Got a fat, cresty neck and is often overweight?
‘Tied up’ after exercise?

If you answered yes to any of these then your horse needs you to come to this clinic.

Topics to be covered:
· - Holistic management of the carbohydrate intolerant horse.
·- Why forage in Tasmania is so high in sugar.
·- Laminitis: prevention, early diagnosis, and first aid treatment.
·- Equine nutrition for the rest of us: Applying common sense to feed horses as individuals (which may differ from the 'average' horse featured in the equine texts)

“Have all your questions answered about grass and keeping horses on it safely.”

Katy Watts is a dynamic presenter – to see her web site click here

"Hi all
Just a short note to reaffirm just how good the information is that
Katie Watts delivers in her presentation. I attended her presentation
in Canberra last weekend, and she explained what I have been seeing this
season with horses foundering early on in the season when I would not
have expected it. What she has to say, certainly impacts not only on
founder prone horses, but all of our horses which are usually grazing on
a high percentage of introduced improved pastures. If you can possibly
go to the next presentations, it will be well worth your while.
Regards,
John Gorman" (Farrier).

Pony Pals Info For each Pony Pals & Play Day;
Start time: 10am
Cost: $5/ pony or horse + $3/family donation to the library.
RSVP: Please let me know if you are intending to come, either by email mcgovern@intas.net.au or phone 6362 4474 (after 8pm will always get me) If I don't hear from anyone I'll assume no one is coming ...
If the weather is looking a bit dodgy give me a call on the day, before 9am.

Great news for Quantum Savvy Students and horse enthusiasts alike in Tasmania.......with the very first Tassie Practise Group now up and running in Sandford.
Group Organiser Melissa O'Rourke and the Equus Savvy Practise Group will be hosting events like Play-Days, video nights, Challenge Days and Clinics on a regular basis.
For details or more information, contact Melissa O'Rourke on Ph; 03 6239 9757 or 0438 399 756.

Classified Adds

For Sale – “SPIKE” DOB 6/8/2002 Sire – Glenleigh Sunda, Dam – Annie QH. 14.3 and half HH.
Chestnut Gelding. Spike is a wonderful horse who is great to ride & handle. He was imprinted at birth & started naturally by L3 PNH handler. He has transitioned bare hooves trimmed since 6 weeks old. He lays down, is OK with stockwhip, has been started over small jumps, goes calmly in all gaits on loose rein, done lots of trail & stock work. He is currently being ridden by eleven year old boy. Spike would try hard at any discipline, although calm is never lazy and always willing to attempt anything that is asked of him.
He does have a turn of speed if required, and will come back easily. He will make a fantastic best friend and deserves a caring natural home. He is being sold through absolutely no fault of his own, we just
have too many horses. His full sister is Breeze a L3 horse and his full brother is Albie, now owned and loved by Deb Johnson and going well. Price: $3,500.00 firm. Contact; Tara Nicklason 63 73 6145.

FOR SALE: Bella, 8 years old, 15.2 hh, bay reg Anglo Arab. Bella has been handled naturally since birth, she is barefoot, good to trim, float, catch, she is willing, sound, she has compact conformation, a lovely temperament, green, needs education. situated at Boat Harbour contact Jane Sharp 6445 1118.

FOR SALE: Bob Marshall Deluxe Treeless Western Saddle. Imported from USA, 16", fully mounted, Suit 15hh+ horse needing a wider fit. Comes with two Granduer Barefoot Saddle Pads.$2,000. Ph. Karen on 63 695260.

FOR SALE:
Valley Springs Saarina. Purebred Grey Arabian Mare, Rising 3yo (DOB 11.11.03).El Shaklan lines. ‘Tieka’ is available to an approved show/saddle home only. She has THE most sensational movement and is going to be an outstanding mare under saddle! To see her move is breathtaking…
She has basic groundwork training, floating, feet, worm, groom, tie up, rugging and handling. Has not been started under saddle. Her first outing was to a natural horsemanship ground handling clinic in an indoor arena, where she was introduced to various obstacles such as cavaletti, tarp, bags, rake, balls etc and once introduced, took it all in her stride.
Tieka is a sensitive young mare, who requires a committed person with patience and understanding to enhance the potential that exists in her. Once the bond is established, she gives you everything she has! She is presently sitting on 15hh and may possibly mature to 15.2hh.* She would be an asset to any El Shaklan line breeding program!* Sire: Eastwinds Sa’arsational (Sire - Simeon Sa’ar/ Dam – Eastwinds Finesse) Dam: Eastwinds Esperanto (Sire – Espiration / Dam – Esperanda) Price: $3,500.
Contact: Deb 0405 199 892 (prefer evenings please).

FOR SALE - Inshallah Cabaret - 6yr old Chestnut mare genuine 15hh. Extremely pretty with lovely head and neck setting. Proven brood mare that has had a quality foal. To sell now or we will put her back in foal. Broken in, has done 2 x 40km rides and 2 x 80km rides barefoot. Genuine enquiries only. $4,000 Ph. 64 272255 or email marg.richardson@bigpond.com

FOR SALE: Wintec Isabelle dressage saddle, 17 inch, with CAIR, Excellent Condition, Fully Mounted, $1000. PH. 64 26 2107

WANTED: PARELLI STUDY PACK 1 AND 2 - PHONE: 03/ 6437 2575.

The following horses are looking for good, kind homes:

Dark bay standardbred gelding, 11yr, approx 15hh. Good looks, honest willing nature, very affectionate, suitable for confident rider. He is an excellent dooer, and is currently in good paddock condition. Easy to shoe, float and catch. Ideal trail horse or all rounder. For lease or sale $300 to approved home.

Thoroughbred gelding, 16.2hh, 8yr, off the track 12 months. Kind nature, just beginning under saddle.Displaying willing nature but requires experienced rider to further his education. Currently ridden in a halter or snaffle. No blemishes or scars. Do not let his breeding fool you he is an excellent doer, and is currently in good paddock condition. Easy to shoe, float and catch (just whistle and he comes to you). Suitable for light work only due to racing injury. For lease or sale $300 to approved home.

Free to good home 12hh QH X, 11yr old, has been out of work for 5 years, good ground manners but
will need re-training before suitable for riding. Email Helena at ringledoddyfarm@gmail.com

If you have an add you would like included in the next newsletter please email it to me by the 25th of December for theJanuary/February newsletter.
Advertising in the newsletter is free but exact wording must be supplied and photos must be reduced to less than 50kb.

Dakoda playing with the tree that became his drinking station in the pasture.

Previous Newsletter

Newsletter Article Archives

Contact Details:
Cynthia Cooper - Natural Horse World
46 Wattle Lea Lane, Golden Valley, Tasmania,
Australia. 7304. Ph. 0363 695177.
Email Me