Innehållsförteckning för Spring 2024 från HorseWyse

A Legacy of Love and Liberty One of the most remarkable aspects of Tradie's journey was his transformation through the practice of true liberty. This training approach, which emphasises the horse's freedom to choose engagement, became a defining feature of their relationship. Through patient guidance and positive reinforcement, Tradie blossomed into a horse that not only excelled in competitive arenas but also thrived in a partnership built on mutual trust and respect. His ability to perform complex maneuvers without restraints, the joy he displayed in liberty work, and the deep bond he shared with Emily served as a powerful testament to the beauty and potential of a truly connected human-horse relationship. Tradie's legacy is a reminder that with kindness, patience, and a willingness to listen, we can unlock extraordinary connections…

Ive always been really good at running late. Luckily enough running late is a great quality to have when training horses. It means you are taking more time on things that matter. One thing I initially kept fairly quiet when I signed up to the Brumby challenge was that my intention was not set on having my brumby as a ridden horse at the end of the 150 days. I was worried that if I told the organisers this I wouldnt be able to participate. After speaking to the organisers, I realise now that my assumption could not have been futher from the truth, and they too prioritise the emotional and physical wellbeing of the horse far above anything else. I signed up to this challenge with one goal in…

Growing up in the small town of Alice Springs, I enjoyed the quiet country life and was obsessed with animals from a young age. My parents indulged my passion by letting me try nearly every sort of animal, even if only on loan for a few months. Dogs, cats, snakes, lizards, rabbits, guinea pigs, scorpions, insects, pigs, cows, birds, chickens, ducks, fish, and rats –I had them all. I loved teaching them tricks, taming wild animals, and undertaking rescue and rehab missions. Despite knowing I was different and being diagnosed with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and depression at 12, my love for animals remained a constant source of joy and comfort. While school and friendships were often challenging, catching and relocating wild animals, including venomous snakes, was second nature to me.…

A Key Step in Seasonal Care Spring is a season of renewal, and as the pastures begin to flourish, so too do the parasites that can threaten your horse's health. Worms, particularly small strongyles (cyathostomins) and tapeworms, are a common concern during tis time. Effective spring worming is essential to keep your horse healthy and ensure they can enjoy the warmer months ahead. Why Spring Worming Matters After winter, horses often graze more as fresh grass becomes available. This increase in grazing also heightens the risk of ingesting parasite larvae. Left untreated, these parasites can lead to weight loss, colic, diarrhea, and other serious health issues. Choosing the Right Wormer A targeted approach is crucial when it comes to worming. Rather than routinely administering wormers, it's recommended to conduct a…

Stretching Your Horse Stretching your horse has so many benefits, and the good news is every horse owner is capable of doing it! Stretching your horses muscles helps to increase their flexibility and range of movement, and in turn that can actually help prevent muscular injuries. By introducing a regular stretching program into your horses routine, you will help increase the overall circulation, suppleness and elasticity of his soft tissue structures, which will help his overall sense of comfort within his body and make his riding job easier. There are a few simple stretches that everyone can do to benefit their horse. But remember, you should always stretch your horse when his muscles are warm, so it's best to do after a ride or a good massage. You also want…

Winter is the time for fluffy ponies and lovely cosy cuddles but once the days start getting longer again it's time for the long winter coat to drop and be replaced with a smooth sleek summer coat. However every horse person knows the pain of shedding season, with hair dropping and ending up everywhere! Here's what you need to know about coats & shedding. Horses are very clever with how they grow various coats to look after themselves throughout the year. Horses will naturally have a short coat throughout summer to stay cooler and a longer, heavier coat in winter to keep them warm. Some horses grow more coat than others in winter, It is somewhat breed & location dependant however every horse is different, and some are just better…

TO WIN!!! HOW TO ENTER Snap a Pic: Take a photo of your horse-themed bedroom in all its glory! Write a Brief Description: Tell us what makes your room special, from your favorite horse posters to that prized rosette from your first competition. PRIZE 1st Place: A The Single Bed Horse themed Quilt cover & your photo featured in the next issue. 2nd Place: A Horse Themed Cushion & your photo featured in the next issue. 3rd Place: A feature in Horsewyse's next issue SUBMISSION All entries must be received by 15th November So, tidy up that tack, fluff those haythemed pillows, and show off your horse haven! We can't wait to see the horsiest bedrooms out there! Include your name, age, and contact information with your submission. Email your…

Dear Star Buck, My horse has been pawing at the ground a lot, especially when tied. What could be causing this, and how can I stop it? Pawing Predicament Dear Pawing Predicament, Pawing can indicate boredom, impatience, or discomfort. Ensure your horse has enough mental and physical stimulation through regular exercise and enrichment. Provide toys or hay nets when tied to keep him occupied. Training sessions to teach patience and rewarding calm behaviour can also help reduce pawing. Dear Star Buck, MY horse keeps rubbing his tail against the fence and damaging it. How can I stop this behaviour? Tail Troubles Dear Tail Troubles, Tail rubbing is often a sign of discomfort or irritation. Check for parasites like pinworms and treat accordingly. Ensure your horse is clean and dry, and…

You have a great feeling when you win a ribbon, rug or trophy, so we want to increase our chances of this. Most ponies and riders who do win ribbons are working hard at home to strengthen the muscles and to keep them flexible, so competitions become easier. When a competition becomes easier it means that your pony works as well at the end of the day as well as they did at the start meaning that you are more likely to succeed and win the rug. The exercises practiced at home should be a little harder than what you need when you compete, this also helps to make it the competition easier for both you and your pony. When your pony competes it should feel like an easy maths…

The Australia Hobby Horse Championships in Queensland on July 5th, 2024, was a spectacle of passion, precision, and prowess, bringing together 35+ magnificent hobby horses and 28 talented riders. This year's championship showcased the ever-growing popularity in Australia and competitive spirit of hobby horsing, with participants traveling from regional and metropolitan Queensland, as well as interstate from NSW and Victoria. Dressage Excellence In the Dressage arena, competition was fierce with 36 total entries across several classes. Isabella Rychvalsky and her hobby horse GUIS stole the show, securing first place in Class 1 with a commendable score of 70% and triumphing in the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music. Other notable performances included Rebecca Bates on RIFF RAFF, who scored an impressive 82.9% in Class 2, and Eleanor Salmon on GINGER BISCUIT,…

Lilly's equestrian journey began when she was just four years old. From the moment she climbed onto her Welsh Mountain pony, Jack, it was clear that riding would be a lifelong passion. Lilly and Jack embarked on countless adventures at Pony Club, and as she grew, so did her equestrian ambitions. When she outgrew Jack, Lilly transitioned to a 14-hand New Forest pony named Merlin, or "Kaywarta Moonshine." Together, they explored the exciting world of eventing and Pony Club activities. However, a new passion was brewing inside Lilly. Dressage began to captivate her heart. It was during this time that she made a significant decision to sell Merlin and temporarily ride her sister's pony, Teggy, while searching for her next equine partner. Qualifying Teggy for the Victorian Interschool State Championships…

Equestrian vaulting has been around for a very long time. It is older than me, and you, and everyone else on Earth. In fact, vaulting originated as a form of training for Roman soldiers over 2,000 years ago. Since then, however, it has developed from an ancient war tactic to an elegant and wonderful sport, displaying a harmonious connection between a rider and a horse. So, you might be thinking, if it's been around for so long, why is it still such a small sport in Australia? Normally, two millennia would be plenty of time to build a solid foundation. Well, vaulting in Australia only came into existence in the 1990's. A small group of passionate equestrian athletes came together, began forming their own clubs, and building the sport nationally…

As the chill of winter fades and the days grow longer, excitement for the spring show season starts to build! Preparing for the show season takes time, effort, and a bit of planning, but it's all worth it when you're in the ring with your horse, feeling confident and ready to shine. Here's a guide to help you and your horse get ready for the spring show season. 1. Get Your Horse in Shape. Has your horse stayed in work over winter or have they had a break? If they've had a break then your horse will need some conditioning to be in top form for the shows. • Start Slowly: Begin with light exercise to build up your horse's fitness gradually. Rushing back into exercise can result in muscle…

Hi, I'm Vanessa Thurner, and I am incredibly honoured to be one of the 15 trainers selected from over 40 applicants across Australia to participate in the prestigious Coprice Australian Brumby Challenge. In this unique event, trainers are paired with wild Brumbies through a ballot system. These Brumbies, caught through passive trapping, come from regions like the Bogong High Plains, Barmah National Park, Kosciuszko National Park, and Bago State Forest in New South Wales. Once captured, they are brought to the Brumby Junction sanctuary in Victoria, where they live in wild herds. The stallions are gelded, and the mares are given time to foal and raise their young in preparation for this biennial event. The culmination of the 150-day challenge is a showcase at Equitana in Melbourne, Here, we demonstrate…

Would you like your horse to be confident, relaxed, motivated and really enthusiastic about training sessions? Are you looking to build your horse's trust and create a stronger relationship with your horse? Clicker training is the answer. Clicker training is a training method that is backed by behaviour science and is based on the use of positive reinforcement. It is the main training method used in zoos and marine parks around the world because it is gentle, positive and also effective. Clicker training works with all animals from dogs, cats, lions and tigers, to butterflies, dolphins and horses. Positive reinforcement means we give the animal something it wants, such as a food reward, to strengthen a behaviour and make it more likely to occur. We use a sound, usually a…

1 Know the Temperature Range Spring weather can be unpredictable, with fluctuating temperatures throughout the day. Monitor the weather forecast closely and adjust your horse's rugging accordingly. As a general rule, a lighter rug or no rug at all may be appropriate during milder days, while a light turnout rug or a sheet can be useful for cooler mornings and evenings. 2 Layering for Flexibility Layering rugs can provide flexibility as temperatures change. Start with a lightweight base rug and add a light turnout or stable rug if needed. Layering allows you to easily add or remove rugs based on the weather, helping to prevent your horse from overheating or becoming too cold. 3 Consider Your Horse's Coat and Condition The thickness of your horse's coat plays a significant role in determining their…

Welcome to Your Laminitis & Hoof Issue Comfort Guide for Spring! Laminitis is a painful and distressing condition for horses, marked by the breakdown of tissue (lamellae) that connects the bone to the hoof wall. This can cause severe pain, instability, and, in extreme cases, the coffin bone may penetrate the hoof sole. Common symptoms of laminitis include weight shifting, reluctance to move, frequent lying down, and visible changes in the hooves, such as swelling or irregular appearance. Immediate veterinary consultation is crucial if laminitis is suspected, as early intervention can prevent severe outcomes. Proper horse care and diet are fundamental in managing laminitis. The horse's diet significantly affects its microbiome, which influences immune function, nutrient absorption, and overall health, A balanced diet, free from excess sugars and starches, is…

AUTUMN/ WINTER Competition Winners: Congratulations to the following winners from our last editions competitions… • Page 25, Findaword: Waldhausen Unicom Grooming bag & Equibuff Findaword goes to Hope Law, Age 11. • Page 27, Colour to win: Brryer Freedom Buckskin Blanket Aooaloosa goes to Elouise Grill, 12 year old. Page 40, Cushion design winner is Adelaide White, Aged 12 yrs Page 43 Tail Braid winner Jasmine Inara Page 44 Dry Hoof winner for the Cravailo Hoof boots is Julia l'Anson 12yrs old Thankyou for all the entries to last issues competitions we loved seeing ail your works.…