Horse Sense

Christmas Countdown

Some favourite Christmas horse images found via Horse and Man

“As long as people will shed the blood of innocent creatures there can be no peace

“As long as people will shed the blood of innocent creatures there can be no peace, no liberty, no harmony between people. Slaughter and justice cannot dwell together.”

-Isaac Bashevis Singer

Happy 76th Birthday Nelson Pessoa

Show jumping legend Nelson Pessoa celebrates his 76th birthday today. Born December 16, 1935 in Rio de Janeiro, Neco competed in five Olympic Games and nine World Championships. Today he works with his son Rodrigo at the prestigious Pessoa Stables, Haras du Ligny in Fleurus, Belgium.

Main Titles

• Two gold medal and one silver medal in the Pan-American Games
• Seven times Champion (record in victories) of Hamburg Derby
• Three times Champion of Hickstead Derby
• European Champion
• Winner of 150 GPs in Europe
• Winner of over 100 puissansse
• Four times Brazilian Champion

The Horse Trust Cuddly Toy Chesnut

How's this for a great gift idea for the very young:

Chesnut thesoft toy horse (or pony). At 15cms high and conforming to The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) EN71 Chesnut is suitable for all ages from babies upward. And as they say on The Horse Trust website "Chestnut is the perfect size for any new owner no matter how young or old. No stable required or field to graze in Chestnut’s only requirement is a loving home and a cuddle every day."

Chesnut costs £9.99 + £1.99 p&p, to buy Chestnut and to help The Horse Trust  call the donation line on 01494 489870 or visit the website and download an order form.

Cornelius Billings Equestrian Party 1903

Cornelius Kingsley Garrison Billings, retired president of the People's Gas Light & Coke Company in Chicago, moved to New York in 1901 where he built a stable and lodge near the Speedway. Designed by architect Guy Lowell it consisted of  25,000-square-feet of stables with quarters for entertaining guests and a lodge in the form of a round tower with views of the Hudson River and  the Statue of Liberty.

Upon completion of the lodge Billings hosted a celebratory dinner at the ballroom of Sherry's, 44th Street and Fifth Avenue. Guests were seated on real horses (Billings was known as The American Horse King).  The horses had been transported to the fourth floor ballroom  in the elevator.  The ballroom floor was covered with turf and Billings' guests  were waited on by waiters dressed as grooms. They remained in the saddle and sipped champagne through rubber tubes from bottles kept cold in saddle bags stuffed with ice, suspended from the horses' necks.

image source http://myinwood.net/ckg-billings-estate/

Equine Charity - The Racehorse Sanctuary - Christmas Cards

A lovely choice of 3 different Christmas cards from The Racehorse Sanctuary, the 2011 card "On the way home"  is by artist Lionel Edwards.

All proceeds are in aid of The Racehorse Sanctuary.

About The Racehorse Sanctuary

There are between 4000 and 5000 horses leaving the racing industry annually, the majority of which are quite straight forward and make the transition to becoming a riding horse with ease, however, it is the horses that find it difficult that need the facility that the Racehorse Sanctuary offers. So many of these super horses could have a happy and in most cases productive lives ahead of them if they were given the time and expertise needed. It has to be said that if any horse entering this system is a danger to any member of the public or itself then it will remain at the sanctuary ongoing, alternatively if the problem can be resolved it will then be found a suitable home on a permanent loan basis. However if the horse is in any form of distress that cannot be remedied by our veterinary surgeon or team then it will be humanely destroyed. A huge amount of horses leaving the industry are now catered for by the existing centres, The Racehorse Sanctuary is here to cater for those that we are told have no future under the current system.

 When a trainer, owner or head of a syndicate finds themselves in a position where they are no longer able to keep a horse for varying reasons, the most common being either: the horse isn't going to win races hence the stable is needed for one that is more likely to, the horse has been retired due to some form of injury or it is proving to expensive for some members hence the syndicate has to be resolved, this is the time the sanctuary steps in and provides a lifeline for the unfortunate animal. Another common situation is where an unsuspecting member of the public has purchased a good looking horse from one of the sales rings only to find when returning home that the animal is completely unmanageable and dangerous, they don't want to sell it on though fear of the same thing happening over again and yet they are stuck with a horse that they are frightened to go near and as for getting on its back this would be out of the question.

When a new arrival turns up at the sanctuary the first thing that will happen is that he will be thoroughly examined by the equine veterinary surgeon and between the vet, Graham and Sue a course of treatment will be decided upon in order to return the horse to good health if this is an issue. Having completed his period in isolation during which his diet will have gradually be changed and his general attitude will have been assessed he will then,subject to soundness, be put into light work starting with lunging following on to being ridden. Those horses with very long-term injuries will be given the treatment and time needed to make a full recovery and should the horse still be unsuitable for ridden work at the end of this then a suitable home as a companion will be sought. Those who do have a future as riding horses will also be found suitable homes as either hacks or if capable competition horses. When it is decided that a horse has completed its recuperation/re-schooling process selected people who are looking for a particular type of horse are invited to come to the sanctuary to be assessed as to their suitability. If it is decided that this is the right person for a horse then a very stringent home inspection is then carried out and subject to passing this then the horse is placed on permanent loan to the applicant.

After care from the sanctuary then continues by way of unannounced welfare visits and advising on any problems that may occur. Should the keepers situation change in any respect causing problems with the standard of care being offered to the horse then it will be immediately reclaimed and returned to the sanctuary. Many problems encountered by ex-racehorses are not necessarily due to health but to physiological reasons and these cannot be cured overnight, they take time, patience and expertise. Equally, having done the groundwork and found the route of the problem and in most cases cured it all of this work can so easily be undone in the wrong hands which is why The Racehorse Sanctuary are so meticulous in choosing which member of the public to take on one of the sanctuary horses.

 The Racehorse Sanctuary is completely self funded and relies purely on the generosity of those people who  believe that these wonderful creatures more than deserve a chance to live out their lives in comfort. In order that the sanctuary can carry out its work and maintain the policies and standards that it set out with it has been decided to say no to any form of governing body that may mean compromise on these issues. Of course the additional funding would ease the financial pressure a great deal particularly in the early years but at what cost. This is why you can be confident  that every penny given to this cause goes either directly or indirectly to the horses involved the support is there.

 

Horses Heal - The Horse Boy

 

The Horse Boy is the title of an autobiographical book and film that follows the quest of Rupert Isaacson and his wife to find healing for their autistic son Rowan. After discovering that Rowan's condition seems to improve around horses they set out on journey to seek help from the traditional shamans in Mongolia, a place where healing and horses go hand in hand.

Gift idea for the horse / pony mad youngster - adopt a horse, pony, donkey or mule from Redwings Horse Sanctuary

Finnegan  is a stunning coloured cob, rescued from London by the RSPCA along with two other horses. All three were neglected and extremely thin but they have now made a full recovery and are living happily at Redwings. Finnegan is a gentle giant who loves to be cuddled.

Will's full name is Will Scarlett; he is a former police horse who worked for the Nottinghamshire police before permanent lameness forced him into early retirement. His work with the Mounted Police included attending Nottingham Forest football matches and maintaining public order in the city. Now we think he thoroughly deserves to take the weight off his hooves and relax!

Misfit was rescued by the RSPCA as a stallion. He was in a very poor state and Ada Cole were pleased to take him on and bring him back to health. He was gelded shortly after arrival but is still a strong-willed character with a mind of his own! As you can imagine this playful little chap is always a big hit with visitors!

Denise is a very cheeky skewbald donkey, who was rescued in 1996 as a week-old foal. Her mother had developed mastitis and was unable to feed her so the veterinary nurses and centre staff took in it turns to bottle feed her morning, noon and night. As you can see she is now a perfectly healthy, happy donkey and she certainly makes her presence known at the Visitor Centre!


Muffin the mule was rescued with his mother in 1987 when he was only a few days old. Unfortunately, his mother passed away from a stomach ulcer soon after they arrived but Muffin was lucky enough to have made some good friends his own age. At only 11 hands high, Muffin looks small next to his pony friends but he makes up for it with an occasional extremely loud bray!


Finnegan, Will, Misfit, Denise and Muffin are just some of the horses, ponies, donkeys and mules that are available for adoption at Redwings. When you adopt a Redwings equine you receive an A5 photograph, adoption certificate , information about the equine and details of how you can visit. You'll also receive an invitation to your equine's birthday party and a new photograph just before their birthday. Or if you prefer an online adoption will give you access to your chosen horse’s website, which features their exclusive diary plus loads of photos, videos and wallpaper for you to download.

All this costs just £12.50 for a year and we think it would make a great present for any child who loves equines. To adopt an equine from Redwings or to get further information visit http://www.redwingsadoptionclub.co.uk/

And if you are at all tempted to buy your child a real, live pony make sure you have the facts by reading our  All you need to know about horse ownership.

My Dad bought me a pony, I feed him on bread

"Several years ago, one youngster sent me a letter saying, "My Dad bought me a pony, I feed him on bread all the time but he still seems hungry." And although many people would condemn her out of hand, that child did at least have the good sense to ask "Why?" and that is very important. The point I am making is that buying a pony means that you must first learn how to take care of it properly, and you can only do that by asking questions all the time, reading extensively and gaining practical experience."

Behind The Stable Door Horse and Pony Care by Brian Giles 1983

Horses have hoofs ... The real nature of horses. Chuang Tzu, c.300-400BC

Horses have hoofs to carry them over frost and snow; hair, to protect them from wind and cold. They eat grass and drink water, and fling up their heels over the champaign. Such is the real nature of horses. Palatial dwellings are of no use to them.

One day Poh Loh appeared saying, "I understand the management of horses".

So he branded then, and clipped them, and pared their hoofs, and put halters on them, tying up their heads and shackling their feet, and keeping them in stables, with the result that two or three in every ten died. Then he kept the hungry and thristy, trotting them and galloping them, and grooming them and trimming them, with the misery of tasselled bridle before and the fear of the knotted whip behind, until more than half of them were dead.

The pottersays, "I can do what I want with clay. If I want it round I use compasses; rectangular, a square."

The carpenter says, "I can do what I will with wood. If I want it curved I use an arc; if straight, a line."

But on what grounds can we think that the natures of clay and wood desire this application of compasses and square, of arc and line? Nevertheless, every age extols Poh Loh for his skill in managing horses, and potters and carpenters for their skill with clay and wood ...

Horses live on dry land, eat grass and drink water. When pleased, they rub their necks together. When angry, they turn round and kick up their heels at each other. Thus far only do their natural dispositions carry them. But bridles and bitted, with a plate of metal on their foreheads, they learn to cast vicious looks, to turn the head to bite, to resist, to get the bit out of the mouth or the bridle into it. And thus their natures become depraved - the fault of Poh Loh.

Chuang Tzu, c. 300 -400BC, translated by Herbert Giles