Skin Irritations in the Horse

Jade Salpietro 15 November 2017

Skin Irritations in the Horse

Many owners find Spring and Summer to be challenging times for managing horses with skin conditions. Joanne Wallace from Thompson & Redwood explains how herbs may assist in keeping irritated horses more comfortable. Skin irritations are a common ailment in horses, particularly around Spring and Summer time. As the insects start to hatch and plants release pollen that can cause allergies, horses will often develop skin conditions such as Hives and Sweet Itch (otherwise known as Queensland Itch). But what can be done to help keep our horses itch-free and happy during these months? First off, it’s important to understand WHY your horse has developed skin irritations. This may not be a straightforward answer; often, it’s a combination of factors that can be difficult to isolate.  Whether it’s an allergic reaction to pollen and moulds, reactions to drugs, allergies to food, or a reaction to biting insects such as lice,

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The Australian Quarter Horse

Jade Salpietro 8 August 2017

The Australian Quarter Horse

“I love their bums!” – Amy Leigh Watton, Quarter Horse owner “Best part of the breed? Definitely their bums!” – Kelly Greaves, Quarter Horse owner Arguably, if the quarter horse had a theme song, ‘Baby Got Back’ would be the top contender. Ask a die-hard Australian fan of the breed why they worship the quarter horse and you’ll hear a lot about their big behinds and chunky stature. But with 179,000 horses currently registered with the Australian Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), there’s clearly a lot more to love about the breed than just their stocky build. Breeders will tell you that the quarter horse’s solid bone structure and muscular development play a major role in the breed’s athletic ability. And make no mistake, these are seriously athletic horses, bred for speed, strength and agility – anyone who has ever ridden a quarter horse to a sliding stop can vouch for

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Facebook: Policy regarding the sale of horses

Jade Salpietro 10 April 2017

Facebook: Policy regarding the sale of horses

The equestrian world was left reeling last week as Facebook commenced enforcing a ban on horse advertising under the rules of its Commerce Policy. The policy – which prohibits the sale of animals on Facebook – has been in effect since the launch of its Marketplace feature last year, however, it has only recently started to be policed. As a result, thousands of horse classified ads within the Facebook Marketplace have now been rejected and unlisted. In an effort to clear up confusion about what is permitted pertaining to the sale of horses on Facebook, Cavalletti Equine Marketplace spoke to a representative from the social network yesterday. The spokesperson clarified that advertising horses for sale did not meet Facebook policies. Common items Facebook doesn’t allow people to sell include animals, guns and illegal products. The definition of an advertisement could include those listed in the Facebook Marketplace, those created when

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How to care for your horse after a cross country round

Teagan Carney 18 March 2017

How to care for your horse after a cross country round

There is no better feeling than finally passing through those finish flags at the end of your cross country round. There is also no better feeling than knowing you’ve done everything possible to keep your horse healthy, happy and sound!

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Increasing the demand for retired racehorses post racing

Jade Salpietro 8 March 2017

Increasing the demand for retired racehorses post racing

Animal welfare is a critical element of the Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) racing strategy. The quality of racing within WA is dependent on many factors but at the forefront is the welfare of our racing horses and greyhounds. RWWA’s Off the Track program continues to be an active voice within the racing and equestrian industries, positioning retired racehorses as the breeds of choice for equestrian disciplines and other pursuits.  The program’s activities increases the demand for and supports the placement of retired Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses in second careers via sponsoring events, sharing success stories, promoting Retrainers and holding education clinics & shows for horses off the track.  The program is widely recognised in the equestrian community as being a conduit for the successful transition of horses from the race track to alternative pursuits. Now in its third year of operation Off the Track has supported our retired

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My horse pulled through (and yours could too). A story of hope following a paddock accident.

Myf Clark 1 February 2017

My horse pulled through (and yours could too). A story of hope following a paddock accident.

Please note, this article contains graphic and confronting photos of a horse injured following a paddock accident. Most Sundays in our household revolve around the odometer of our car ticking over the kilometres in regional NSW from one horse event to another. This particular Sunday was meant to be the same, but unfortunately the decision to skip a horse show was met by a rather traumatic freak paddock accident. On Sunday the 28th of August last year, my pony, Mac, was found in the paddock with a major head trauma. He was acting normal, standing on four legs when he was discovered, with his summer rugs in place, yet with a sizable hole in his head. The pony had no temperature, and no huge signs of neurological problems or eyesight issues. He was immediately floated to the Wagga Wagga Veterinary clinical hospital at the Charles Sturt University where the damage

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The Diary of a Horse Lover, University Student and Jack-of-all-Trades

Stephanie Sayers 19 January 2017

The Diary of a Horse Lover, University Student and Jack-of-all-Trades

Dear Diary, Today has been non-stop, and extremely exhausting. It seems some days getting out of bed is the hardest thing in the world, and being home before 6pm seems like a distant memory. I’m sure that I am not the only one who has questioned why I have chosen such a time consuming sport, surely every student that horse rides has? Daylight savings is a blessing; any convention that allows a few more hours of daylight is a godsend. There are just never enough hours in the day! After a hard day studying concepts (which I’m sure I’ll never remember) and long days in a job which is merely a means to an end, my horse is the only thing that keeps me sane. Even if I don’t get to ride, just the small ritual of seeing her, feeding her and cleaning her stable are the things that make

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Five unmounted exercises to improve your riding

Stephanie Sayers 19 December 2016

Five unmounted exercises to improve your riding

As horse riders, we have to be flexible, strong and fit enough to fool ourselves into thinking we can control the 500kg animal beneath us. Many people say you can only get strong enough and fit enough to ride a horse by actually riding a horse. However, not all of us can ride all the time, and there are ways you can improve your posture and muscle strength when you’re not riding. By doing some of these simple exercises whilst at work, or sitting at home you can be ready for the next time you have a spare moment to have a ride! The Calf/Hamstring Stretcher This one is something that I do myself very often, more now out of habit than anything else. This is perfect for helping you be limber enough to stretch those heels down as far as possible when you ride. All you have to do

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The Ultimate DIY Hack to make your tack room spectacular

Stephanie Sayers 4 December 2016

The Ultimate DIY Hack to make your tack room spectacular

Sometimes it seems that keeping your tack room clean and dust free is a never-ending job! Do you find yourself constantly dusting and putting things away on make-shift hooks, of which there never seems to be enough of? Well, the following DIY Tack Storage hack will not only help you keep your gear in better condition for longer, but keep it organised so you get to spend more time with your four legged best friend. The Old Wardrobe That old wardrobe you are about to throw out, or that one you saw out the front of the neighbour’s house for free might just be saving grace for your tack room! A plain wardrobe with hanging space will do fine, but if you can pick one up with drawers then you’ll have extra room for your smaller items. Start by anchoring your wardrobe to one of the walls, to make sure

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Christmas gifts for horse lovers

Adelaide Nunn 29 November 2016

Christmas gifts for horse lovers

So, it seems that once again Christmas has ambushed us. The year has flown by and we’re already starting to hear the usual upbeat renditions of Christmas carols in all the shops and even the local supermarket. It’s usually around this time we realise that we’re probably overdue to start the dreaded Christmas shopping, especially when you want to avoid the sometimes vicious crowds. So before this holiday period takes its grip, it’s time to get ahead and plan your presents! We’ve put together just a few equestrian Christmas gift ideas for friends or family; or maybe even a sneaky one for yourself… Roma Soft Touch Body Brush Now, it might seem a bit on the boring side, but a great brush can go a long way in the stables and is often something we forget to replace over the years. It’s a practical, economical gift idea that will always

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