Stress points of the horse.
30 Nov 2012
"Gypsy Style"
Today I felt almost like real gypsy. It was a fun and exciting way to move the horses. It took us 1.5 hours to ride out to Stud Kronplet. The horses handled the traffic really good!
However, my friends' horse was very nervous and unfortunately he ran twice out on the road, fortunately nothing happend, but it got really close the second time when i ran of with her! My heart jumed right up in my throat. She was pretty shocked when we got to the stable. But as I said to her, nothing happened, we are all alive and you just have to think positive. We're safe now and the horses are doing fine :-)
Giga is enjoying the view, she can see all the handsome stallions;)
Victor is very pleased with the new service!
29 Nov 2012
Very busy day
I've had a very busy day. The whole day has gone by riding and training horses.
I went to school at 8 o'clock, helped out in the barn and then I got told to go for a long walk with an injured horse. I walked for 30 minutes with a slightly fresh and nervous mare. Cute but hot-headed type. It went really well. Later we were handed horses. I got a horse named Luo Luo or as everyone calls her "the giraffe", she is very difficult to ride and runs with her head high in the clouds. So I just thought, oh no! I've never seen anyone who could ride her properly. She was very nervous at first, but when I got her warmed up it was really nice to ride her. I had no problems riding her. She was beautiful and relaxed and even my teacher was quite surprised. And yes it's easy to sit here and brag. But I brag very rarely and just in this case I'm SO proud of myself :-D
28 Nov 2012
-10 degrees and a lot of snow!
I could almost not have timed it better concerning moving my horses. On the 1/12, they have promised -10 degrees and a lot of snow. Poor all the horses that sleeps out on the fields at Flower Farm. After the owner has over crowded the fields there isn't room for all in their small sheds! Well I'm pretty happy to get my horses in a warm stable :-)
27 Nov 2012
Polishing my boots
There's nothing new regarding the horses, they are well and they got their food :-) I didn't have time to ride them today.
Right now I'm sitting in my living room and polishing my boots. I'm just so happy for these boots, yesterday you couldn't see the logo on it because of all the mud! So I got busy with cleaning them. My equipment should always be in top condition otherwise I get some minor "abstinences", I hate when things doesn't look nice :-)
I'm speechless! :-(
I'm speechless. I found this photo on Facebook with this text:
Beautiful horse, he is waiting for a show no doubt, and his head collected helps build muscles in his neck makes him carry himself from his hind end which makes him less likely to injure himself , also helps stretch the back muscles. I bet they has it like that just long enough for the picture. If he really had a problem with it he could rip the reins apart.
You have to be an idiot if you can't see nothing's wrong in this picture! And you have to be an even bigger idiot if you think that a forced position has any beneficial of building muscles correct. I'm still surprised at how many naive and ignorant people lives in this world. It just shows that science hasn't yet made a breake trough regarding training of horses.
If I quickly analyze this pictures I can see that the horse is over bent in the neck and the head goes too far back. So I would call this a "mild" Rollkur. In addition the reins are very tightly tied to the saddle so it pulls the horse in it's mouth. As it stands tied here the back can't carry it self natural and I can almost assure you that the back certainly is swaying. And funny he says it can easily tear the reins in pieces. In this position the horse can't do nothing, as soon as he moves his head too much the reins will pull him hard in the mouth and with this sharp bit it's gonna hurt a lot. So if the horse starts to fight back he'll get his own strength right back straight in his mouth.
Now I'll let you judge the analysis of what appears most correct.
I can only say that I feel sorry for this beautiful horse. It deserves a better and wiser owner.
26 Nov 2012
My day started very relaxed at the farm, But...
My day started very relaxed at the farm but ended up being a minor disaster.
Me and my friend went out on a real chill ride on the horses in the forest. We rode without saddles and bet, we're so cool ;-) It was a nice relaxing trip. We should do it more often and the horses enjoyed it so much!
When I came back to the farm I found out I had the day's gig with giving all the horses hay. Sigh, it's not exactly what you most want to do when the weather is a bit gray and dull and with mud up to your knees. Well, I was optimistic right until I found out that the mini tractor only had enough hay to the geldings!
Hmm yea okay, so I had to fight the tractor back agian through the mud and drive back to the farm and all alone load half bale of hay up into the tractor. It's VERY heavy, I'll tell you that!
I still hadn't lost courage. So I drove out to the mares and I had to really drive fast if I wanted to get through all the mud. And of course when I reach the middle of the hill a horse runs in front of the tractor, so I had to hit the brake which then leads to I'm stuck in the mud!
I struggle and struggle but I was just stuck the same place. Then I had to call the owner of the farm who then later came and pulled it up. So I had to throw 80 kg hay up on a hilltop in mud up to my knees! When I got home and looked at myself in the mirror, I thought that I had become a mud monster! My shoes, pants, jacket and face were filled with mud. So I have spent my whole evening washing all my clothes and boots.
But I must say that the trip in the forest saved the day, without it, my day had probably been really bad...
Christmas fever
Normally I don't really look forward to Christmas, just only a bit. But this year has been quite different. I look forward to everything about Christmas this year, decorate, buy gifts, food, everything!
So I just found some beautiful pictures which can almost get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
25 Nov 2012
Despite my hangover
Despite my hangover, I went out to the horses. I thought the fresh air would probably benefit me. Victor was ridden by my friend who lost her Irish Cob a week ago. Victor saved her day completely and it was really nice to get all her overwhelming and happy text messages. He was just an angel.
So I chose to spend some time with Giga. I chose to ride her in the Cordeo and I gave her a little free reins. Sometimes it's okay to have some "extra" fun. She enjoyed that she could run fast. She loves when something happens in great speed.
Problems with the Internet access!
Sorry I didn't make any posts yesterday. The internet access is very bad at the moment, I think they are upgrading it or something. So it may well be that I'm having some problems the next few days.
24 Nov 2012
A fun and liberating day!
Today has been a really fun and liberating day. I haven't had any pain in my knee today and I haven't taken painkillers for two days now. I went for a long trip in the woods on Victor with my really good friend on her Irish Cob. Victor is usually pretty slow and calm. But today there was so much speed in him, it was so fun and cute.
He's always easy to control but it's kind of funny when he's "naughty", it's so innocent. He is not in shape to run of with me. So I just let him gallop and about 10 meter further along he snorts and groans as if he is about to die.
We also saw a herd of deers, it's always nice to ride in the woods. All horses should be ridden at least once a week in the nature!
Later I trained Giga on the outdoor arena. She was just so nice! Both horses were just some angels today. They just make my day so much better. What would I do without them?
Lady Giga, Sir Victor & Sir Tonga |
Three beautiful Irish Cobs!
23 Nov 2012
Weekend!
My weekend already started yesterday :-D I'm free from school today, it's just really great. Today I'm going out riding with a good friend, she also has a really cute Irish Cob.
Then later I'll ride Giga on the outdoor arena. She needs it. The women who rides her some days in the week is doing a really good job. Giga isn't a easy horse to ride. But it's like Giga is a little signal confused when I come and deal with her. I know a horse can't test people but it almost feels like she does.
22 Nov 2012
Improvement with the mud fever!!
I'm just so happy right now. The mud fever is almost all gone.
Unfortunately I had to cut the hair on his hind legs. He was most affected there. And it's very important that the skin can breathe. I know it looks terrible... But it grows out again! I cried a little inside when I cut it :-P
The horse that threw me of!
This is the horse that threw me of Tuesday. His name is Buster and he's actually a sweet enough horse. He's just very nervous. Buster is a former hunting horse and has jumped in some pretty high classes.
I must say there's a long way down when you fall off him. He's 1,86 high. So he's pretty tall compared to my horses that are 1,60 and 1,49 :-P
My new Sidepull :-D
A friend of mine made this Sidepull for Giga. I'm very impressed and satisfied! It's just me. And she kept it simple and beautiful! I can't wait to see it on Giga :-)
Who remembers the good old days
Who remembers the good old days of felt pony pad saddles, stirrups without grips, no whips and a worried mother in the background.
I do!
21 Nov 2012
Animal Allegations on The Hobbit
It's good to be skeptical, this I believe much more! Both PETA and Anima has had a huge lack of evidence! Read this:
The Hobbit production has always instituted swift and immediate investigations in to any concerns of any kind over the treatment of animals under its care. A prompt and thorough investigation into the recent unsubstantiated allegations by the American organisation, PETA, in to the ‘hobbling’ of a horse during the making of The Hobbit was undertaken. No evidence of such a practice was found to have occurred at any time. Further, the production contacted the owner of the horse concerned who provided the following statement: “I am 100% happy with the return of Shanghai and his condition. In the term that he was leased he was picked up and returned to me two times. On both occasions there was not a mark on him and he was healthy and happy. He has shown no signs of ill-treatment. I would not hesitate in leasing him to the movie again.”
To date, the only horse wranglers whose treatment of animals fell below the production’s standard of care seem to be the two wranglers who have chosen to level this new accusation on the eve of the premiere of the first Hobbit film and who were dismissed by the production over a year ago. Reports of their actions are documented in several written statements dating back to October 2011.
The production regrets that PETA has chosen to make such a serious accusation, which has distressed many of the dedicated Kiwis who worked with animals on the films - including trainers, wranglers, care-givers, farm workers and animal health care professionals - without properly vetting the source from which they received this information.
The production has been inundated with calls of support as regards to this matter, including the following statements:
FROM: DR JULIA BRYCE BVSc
“From December 2010 till July 2012, this practice was the primary Veterinary care giver for the horses and livestock in the care of “Three Foot Seven”.
During this period we were consulted promptly in cases of injury and illness. We were also consulted routinely about ongoing veterinary care and preventative medicine.
If referral was required to a specialist clinic or Massey Equine Clinic, this occurred promptly. As occurs in normal practice there are incidences and injury which may result in an unfavourable outcome and others that recover completely; like the young goat who fractured a front leg but recovered completely after 6 weeks in a cast and hospital rest, or the rooster who spent two weeks at our clinic with a foot infection.
These and other animals in the care of Three Foot Seven Limited received the best available treatment to ensure their recovery, their welfare and return to good health was paramount to those in charge. At no time were we concerned about the welfare and on-going treatment of animals under our care.”
FROM: JOY GRAY - FARMER
“I was appalled to hear of the wild claims being made in the media by PETA. I and my family own the farm which the Hobbits used to train their animals. Myself, my manager, my children and grand-children saw nothing to make us uncomfortable or give us cause for concern. We all had totally free access to all activities at all times. In fact, the animals were wonderfully looked after, being well-fed, well-housed, and well-treated. As both farmers and dedicated horse people ourselves we would have stood for nothing less. I myself ride horses, all my children rode competitively and now my grandchildren ride.
I was involved in Pony Club for many years and was District Commissioner for the Wellington Pony Club. My manager was totally aware of all that was happening with the Hobbits and he is outraged at these false claims.
The sixty horses, the cattle, oxen, sheep, goats, dogs, pigs, hens etc. were given professional and humane treatment.”
FROM: JED BROPHY - ACTOR (NORI)
“As an actor and animal trainer who has worked on large scale productions here in New Zealand, in particular The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and more recently, The Hobbit, I am flabbergasted to read this morning of the accusations levelled at the production by PETA. With a production as large as The Hobbit, filmed over such an extensive period the care of the animals used in filming was exceptional. The entire time we were on set, and when we were training with the animal wranglers employed to look after and train the animals for filming, I observed no mistreatment - in fact the opposite is true.
The animals were treated with the utmost care and responsibility. The farm in which they were housed had excellent facilities for the care and maintenance of the animals’ health. So much so that I moved my own horse on site so I could ride him for training exercises. At all times on set we had experienced Wranglers and Animal health Authorities on hand and Vets to monitor the welfare of the Animals working for the film. It has been my experience working for this film company that they take every conceivable precaution and employ the very best practitioners in every department and that includes the animal department.
I feel that there is a certain amount of personal vindictiveness levelled at the production from individuals with their own agenda. As is often the case in these situations, organisations will leap at the chance to gain publicity for their cause without seeking the truth. Being an experienced horseman and having worked as a wrangler and rider in the past, I would not have allowed myself to be a part of any production that knowingly employed unsafe practice in the workplace in this way. I can say with absolute certainty the production went out of their way to treat animals with the upmost respect and care.”
Several animals killed during filming of The Hobbit
Have you heard all the commotion about ilming of The Hobbit?
This is from Animas website:
Several animals are killed during the filming of The Hobbit.
When many eager fans to December flock to theaters across the country to see Peter Jackson's long-awaited adventure film The Hobbit, is animal cruelty probably the last thing the audience has in their mind.
But the truth is that many animals are involuntarily got a role in the film, both were molested and killed when conditions they were kept in was extremely problematic. Several horses were killed when they were held in a way that simply was not at an acceptable level.
For example a horse died because of overfeeding and another horse broke it's back in a fall. The animals were fenced in a place that was not suitable for livestock. Several goats, sheep and chickens also died as a result of inadequate treatment. A total of 27 animals lost their lives during the production of The Hobbit.
This comes from Animas website. To me it sounds like a total exaggeration. Of course, animals should be treated properly, but what I know of is these animals treated as gold. There are huge amounts of time in their training, not least money. Why would you then treat them badly? I must honestly say I'm a bit skeptical.
20 Nov 2012
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