Welcome to the latest Newsletter.  If you would like to read previous issues of my Newsletter, please go to http://www.anyhorsebackriding.com/horsesource.html 

If you fancy exploring this site further, then go to  http://www.anyhorsebackriding.com/resources.html where you will find links to all sorts of valuable information, such as articles, my blog, charities and much more.  If you refer others to this site, which you can do from that resources page, I will send you a FREE Screen Saver with beautiful pictures of horses from my readership. 

I want to build a second screen saver with pictures of YOUR horse.  So why not send me a picture with some short details about your horse (its' name, where it lives, any story about how you acquired and chose it etc.).  All I ask is that you add the words "there are no usage restrictions with these photographs", so I know there are no copyright issues to contend with.  Send your details to me at info@anyhorsebackriding.com

Many of you have sent in your pictures, but to make the screen saver more beautiful and rich it would help to have some more.  REMEMBER, all those who send in their photographs will get a copy of the new screen saver completely free of charge, which will contain your pictures within it of course! 

This Week's News

Horse healer Chris Conboy, 52, was worried. Crackerjack, her 18-year-old quarter horse, could barely walk. Conboy turned to the stable owner where she boarded her horse, but even with his 40 years of experience with horses, Crackerjack kept getting worse. Conboy tried icing his leg, wrapping it and using every type of ointment she could find. Nothing helped. In fact, he now dragged his foot when he hobbled along. It was time to call in the veterinarian. Canby’s Dr. Michael Harms examined Crackerjack, shook his head, and gave Conboy bad news: Crackerjack’s hips weren’t lined up, and there was nothing he could do. Find out how this horse was healed by reading the story here

Horse and buggy era back in style THE art of carriage driving, for pleasure and sport, is enjoying a renaissance internationally, and values for antique carriages and equipage are rising steeply. Horses are so seldom seen on city streets in Australia today that it's easy to forget how popular and numerous such vehicles once were. Read how the horse and buggy is making a comeback here

Stout prescribed for ailing horse A horse at a Lincolnshire animal centre has been prescribed a diet of beer to help him on the road to recovery. Shire horse Sammy, who is 24 years old - the equivalent of a human age of about 60 - has been out of sorts and lethargic due to his advancing years. Well, it worked for my granny, so why not a horse?  Read the full story here

Modern Godiva rides through city Early risers were met by an unexpected sight as a young woman rode "naked" on a white horse through Oxford city centre on Monday morning. Phoebe Thomas, 23, was taking part in a comedy film production - a modern re-telling of the Lady Godiva legend. For the full story click here

Now for this week's tips and advice

Training - Refreshing the lessons Your Yearling has learned so far – part 2

Last time we talked about some of the routine daily tasks you should be doing with your horse as training/familiarisation, so let’s pick up where we left off for this final refresher on what your yearling has learned so far. 

There are a wide variety of exercises for schooling yearlings that can be incorporated into his training schedule.  For example, how does he react to being hosed down with water? Or when walking through a puddle? 

Just because as a suckling he courageously followed his mum through a stream doesn’t mean that he is happy and familiar with water.  To begin with the young horse should be familiarised with the hose pipe.  Lead him over to the hose and move the hose on the ground slowly until he seems comfortable with it.  At this stage turn it on at low pressure and gauge his reaction.  Allow him to smell the water and hose before carefully spraying his hooves.  Some horses will be happy with this but others will be frightened.  If he is scared, use a wet sponge instead and wipe down their legs, squeezing the water out in the process so that it runs down their legs, and they can feel your familiar hands on them.  Whilst doing this it’s better if someone can hold their head collar for you rather than tying the horse up, when it may feel that it can’t escape if it’s really frightened. Once their legs are wet they will accept the hose more readily.  A horse that associates terrible experiences with being tied up will be very difficult to tie up in future. 

Only after he accepts having his legs sprayed should you move onto the rest of his body – but you must never wet his head in this way.  If you need to clean off his head then do it with a damp sponge only.  Don’t ever let water run into his eyes it’s likely to really frighten him badly. 

Getting him used to a spray bottle is also necessary at this time, so start with spraying water on his legs (before even using the hose pipe if he finds that too frightening).  If he’s injured you’ll want to be able to spray antiseptic on the wound, and it’s also easier to spray fly repellents on his coat.  Move on to spraying his neck and chest until he is happy with it.  You should be aware that it is not primarily the liquid he is afraid of but the hissing noise the sprayer makes. 

Desensitising him to sounds also needs to be started.  The noise of everyday things should be familiar to him including cars, tractors, motorbikes etc.  Lead him gently passed them as often as you can, and then when he’s happy, if possible, ask them to drive past him.  Hold him on a lead rope all the time, making sure not to wrap the rope around your hand.  You must be able to let go of the rope very easily at all times. 

Now is also a good time to get him used to sweat rugs and numnahs or saddle pads.  Start by letting him sniff a small blanket.  When he loses interest in it, touch him on the shoulder with it, then pass it over his neck and legs.  Finally put it on his back when he is quite comfortable with it.  Don’t rush the process if he doesn’t appear to like it. 

This is how you introduce him to all new things.  Let him smell the object first.  Then when he loses interest take it closer to him and so on.  This is particularly good for plastic things that make a noise when they are moved, like plastic tarpaulins. 

With all these exercises never do too much at a time, and stop if the horse is showing any signs of panic or trying to run away.  If you do too much too quickly he will lose his trust in you and make the task of further training much more difficult.  This is very much a case of ‘softly softly catchee monkey’! 

Hopefully you are all enjoying training your youngsters into becoming confident and trusting Pals for the future!

Do let me know your most pressing questions and I will try to address them in a future issue of this Newsletter.  Also please do send in your photos and stories of your horse, but do NOT forget to add the words “there are no usage restrictions with these photographs”.

Warmly

Roger Bourdon

Author of “Introduction to Horseback Riding” http:www.anyhorsebackriding.com  

P.S.  Do let me have photos and a short synopsis for future "Horse of the Month" features - I am sure your horse deserves the title!  You might have noticed there's a new horse featured this month