As I sit here trying to think of something to write, I am searching through horse classifieds on the internet. It's a habit. I don't need another horse, I just like seeing whats out there. I came to wonder about what makes people see an ad and go "Ohh, I'm going to ring up about that one." Is it proper grammar? I know I wouldn't answer an ad with incorrect spelling or that looked like it had been written by a two year old. There's a few of them too. Here's a good example of that:
"Ponie 4sale. 12.5hands hiegh. loverly palimino colour. good clean leggs. pretty face. nice mannars. 9 yearsold. brokan to saddle and harnness. loves kids. is in gud paddack condiditon. first to see will by. call after 7pm on #### #### or email on .....**@hotmail.com. contact for pictares."
The only thing I do is laugh at ads like that. Honestly, how long would it take to spell check the ad before you post it? If it had correct spelling, the ad wouldn't be that bad, but gosh, they can't even spell 'good'. If I were to write an ad, this is how it would go. Be honest, I know it's a hard decision but which one would you respond to
"InTradition.
16 hand, bay thoroughbred mare. 12 years old. "Cleo" is a friendly mare that has the potential to make it big time in the showjumping arena. Minimal training over 2" jumps, correct form, a nice lengthy stride. Sound, clean legs. She has been rugged all year 'round and has no winter coat, ready for you to throw out into shows right now. A beautiful mare, that just loves attention. She will stand tied all day, she stands for the farrier. Absolutely loves getting hosed down and washed, you don't even need to tie her, she'll just stand for you. Quiet to saddle, not at all fidgety. Beautiful under saddle, a long flowing stride. Comes onto the bit like a dream, has correct conformation, no scars and is show ready. No buck, bite or bolt. A very simple ride, a dream to handle. Perfect for a confident young rider ready for a horse to carry them into the ring in dressage or jumping. She will take you as high as you want her too. This beautiful mare has no limits.
Only vice is she is a windsucker. She comes with her collar that easily controls this. She doesn't do it compulsively but will if she is left tied up for long periods of time. She is an easy keeper. You don't want to miss out on once in a life time mare. She comes with her rugs, her halter and her windsucking collar. Contact me at ..........."
Now tell me. Which ad is better? It took me two minutes to write that. How much better does it look with correct spelling? It's not terribly hard, it would be easier in the long run because it might actually give them a chance at selling their horse. Because, I can pretty much say that unless an equally dumb person comes along, that person is not going to get one call for her ad. IT'S NOT BRAIN SCIENCE! For those challenged people out there like the person who wrote the ad above, I'll write you some instructions.
1) Click 'Start' (that button in the left hand bottom corner of your computer)
2) Click 'All Programs'
3) Search through the menu until you find the Microsoft Works or Word
4) Open Works or Word
5) Type your ad in that program
6) Click the little button that has a tick or go into the menu and find spell check
7) Spell check the friggin ad
8) Once that is done. Post the thing on the internet.
IT'S NOT HARD. Say it with me people. Spell Check. Spell Check. Spell Check!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Parelli knows it all?
Ok, I don't have a problem with some of Parelli's methods. I enjoy some of the games, love the 'yo-yo' game, but what he says is not my gospel. Here I was visiting his site and found some rather interesting ... shit. Let me show you.
I love that article. Listen to Pat, people, stay away from your horses, don't walk around their bums to do their leg straps up, don't you dare stand behind him to brush his tail. God forbid, he gets a cut on his back leg, a kicking horse that has never been reprimanded for it's behavior will take your head off if you try and treat it.
Okay, here's my approach to any and every kind of horse.
Out in the wild, there is a head stallion. If a horse trots up and bites this head hancho on the ass, he won't stand for it. He won't back off and get out of the other horses space and do a horseinality test on it before reacting. No, the head stallion will turn around and in two seconds, convince the other horse it is about to die. That's how I approach my horse. If he bites me, I have two seconds to make him think he is about to die, weather it's me smacking his nose, growling at him or making him back up rapidly, then after he has backed off, I forget about it. It's done, it's over. It doesn't take three weeks to watch four DVD's, do three quizzes, then approach the horse. How is he suppose to know what he's done wrong then?
Anyway, I'm off, I think I could find something better to do then sit here and bitch about Parelli :D
Cribbing
What an odd thing to watch a horse do… he grabs hold of the rail or the trough with his teeth and does this funny sucking, gulping thing over and over, and all the while he has this strange calm look about him.
For years it was commonly thought that cribbing was a nasty habit, something caused by boredom and it needed to be stopped with electric shocks or a metal collar that prevented the horse from distending his windpipe. But today, we know better. (Then why do a lot of stabled horses start windsucking?)
Research has shown that when horses crib (or windsuck) that the noise it makes is actually not horses gulping air in, they are expelling air out… like a burp! Talk to naturally-oriented horse therapists and they’ll tell you that this is the way horses relieve upper digestive discomfort.
Horses can’t burp, but people can. So horses have to make themselves burp… just like some people can!
Once you understand that a horse is trying to relieve indigestion(indigestion, my ass. He's just trying to amuse himself), all of a sudden it makes you think differently about putting that cribbing collar on the horse (Nope, my windsucker still has her collar on) . If he can’t burp, he’s in gastric pain to varying degrees. And when people say cribbing causes colic, weight loss, etc. maybe it’s the other way around. Cribbing is an early warning sign of digestive distress so it’s only a matter of time before something like a colic will eventuate and it should be no surprise if the horse’s condition is poor (then, explain, Mister Parelli, that when my mare doesn't have her collar on, she loses weight rapidly, then when her collar is on, she stays fat and healthy?).
Cribbing is the result of things like mineral deficiencies, a weak digestive system, feeds that are hard to digest, and stress (which shuts down the digestive system) (or boredom).
At Parelli, we focus on helping horses become more confident, less stressed and more relaxed in their surroundings. We also feed them a simple diet to which every horse gets Parelli Essentials, a unique formula that grooms the digestive system for optimum function. We also feed minerals in a liquid, colloidal, bio-available form: kelp (which we wet down) and / or Parelli Vitals mineral complex (Or you could get a couple of old milk bottles, throw some pellets in them so they make a pretty noise and throw them in your horses paddock and stall so he can have a play with them).
Please try not to be annoyed by your horse’s cribbing. Know that he is in digestive distress and do whatever it takes to change that. Cribbing is also not ‘contagious’ (Oh, believe me. It is). Horses don’t learn it from each other (Explain why my mare went into a paddock of non-windsuckers, then shazam, 3 months later, 5 of the horses windsuck with her), they do it because they live in the same stressful circumstance and / or minerally deficient feeding regime.
Kicking
Horses kick for two reasons… they’re afraid of you or they don’t like you (or they want to kill you. That's three reasons!)! That’s the big, distasteful truth! Fearful horses kick in defense, dominant horses kick out of resentment and dominance. Either way, smacking the horse for it doesn’t work (Damn right it doesn't. Kick the bastard back as soon as he does it).
You need to get the horse to where he trusts you, likes you, respects you (Good ole Pat forgot the most important rule - To make sure your horse knows your boss!)... and none of that is achieved through violence.
First of all, stay out of the kick zone (Is he really telling people to pussie foot around their horse and stay out of his space. Screw that, I will go as close to my horse and do what I want to my horse and if he's kick's me, he gets kicked back). Second, learn to "read" your horse’s intent, they always give warning signs so you need to learn how to recognize them (I agree with that one, if you can tell your horse is about to kick you. Kick him first :D). Thirdly, give your horse no reason to kick you.
I love that article. Listen to Pat, people, stay away from your horses, don't walk around their bums to do their leg straps up, don't you dare stand behind him to brush his tail. God forbid, he gets a cut on his back leg, a kicking horse that has never been reprimanded for it's behavior will take your head off if you try and treat it.
Okay, here's my approach to any and every kind of horse.
Out in the wild, there is a head stallion. If a horse trots up and bites this head hancho on the ass, he won't stand for it. He won't back off and get out of the other horses space and do a horseinality test on it before reacting. No, the head stallion will turn around and in two seconds, convince the other horse it is about to die. That's how I approach my horse. If he bites me, I have two seconds to make him think he is about to die, weather it's me smacking his nose, growling at him or making him back up rapidly, then after he has backed off, I forget about it. It's done, it's over. It doesn't take three weeks to watch four DVD's, do three quizzes, then approach the horse. How is he suppose to know what he's done wrong then?
Anyway, I'm off, I think I could find something better to do then sit here and bitch about Parelli :D
More stupid people
Stupid Article. Take a look
The following is my response to such stupidity.
Dear Sydney Morning Herald,
In response to the above article I would like to share with you the reality of the horse world. Gelding is essential! The horse market in Australia, and the world, is pitiful at the moment, thousands of horses end up in a slaughter yard simply because a backyard breeder didn't take the chance to geld that conformational train wreak that they had for stud, over-populating an already struggling market.
Have any of you ever been to a horse auction? If so, I would assume you have seen the many kill-buyers hovering around the yards like vultures. So many horses, unsound, with awful conformation are sold through the yards for minimal price just because no one wants them, as well as some good, sound horses that should have been given a second chance. Do you know why no one wants them? They linage is nothing special, most are not trained, most have conformation faults that deem them unsound, some have legs that will see them broken down and shot within the next year. The horse industry CAN NOT win. All these people that are anti slaughter, trying to shut down the kill-houses just because it's morally wrong. Now you seem to think it appropriate to say gelding is wrong. Would you say de-sexing a male cat is wrong? How many feral and strays are out there, being ran over or put down every minute?
Before you go ahead and say that horses such as Light Fantastic, Kingston Town or Gunsynd should be left intact, stop for a moment and do your research. Owners make decisions based on their horses conformation, soundness and personality. If a stallion has a nasty hoof problem, and breed, there is a high possibility that the offspring will inherit this problem, this is the same with unsound legs. That would be another young horse no one would want and would end up in the kill yard. Take a look at Derby winner, Big Brown, although he is a successful race horse with correct conformation, he has a nasty hoof problem that will be passed onto and progeny.
I am a horse lover and owner. I have 3 geldings sitting out in that paddock that are fine as geldings, but it would have been a crime to leave them as stallions and pass on their conformation faults to offspring. Do a google search, look at all the conformational train wreaks that are left as stallions and up for stud. Or take a look at the neglected and unloved horses that have come into the world because of these 'studs'.
Not gelding horses would have a traumatic effect on the horse industry. I would advise you to get out of your offices and visit a equine rescue, or go to the next horse sale. Then you can see for yourself that those unwanted horses are sold to the killbuyers to $50. In my opinion it should be a crime to not geld, in my opinion, every colt should be looked over by a panel of experienced horse people and a vet and deemed 'correct' and sound before being left as a stallion to use for stud.
Another question I would like to ask. Have you ever visited a race stable where stallions are kept? Many are unsafe to their grooms, handlers and jockeys, many of them should be gelded, not only because of their personalities but again, also because of conformation faults. Only the best of the best should be left for re-producing. As a person who has handled stallions and colts of all ages, I can stand here and honestly say that 90% of the intact male horses I have handled, shouldn't have been stallions. Again, do a google search, check out all those horses out there that will reproduce offspring that will end up in the kill yard before their first birthday.
Then you appear to have the nerve to suggest we load these stallions with drugs and hormones. Now, I bet that is good for he's health in the long run. Brilliant idea on your behalf to sedate a running stallion. I wonder if he'll make it to the finish line or break down half way through the race. There are reasons theses substances are banned from the racing industry. Would you like your Olympic swimmer to climb in the pool sedated? It's just not safe!
It's not a pretty outlook for the horse industry. We are over populated and unsupported, people like your Jacqualin Magnay should keep such silly opinions to themselves, not use them to secure a page in the newspaper and rile up gelding supporters. It's a war you will never win. De-sexing any animal is essential, so why is it so wrong to geld horses?
Sincerely,
Madi
The following is my response to such stupidity.
Dear Sydney Morning Herald,
In response to the above article I would like to share with you the reality of the horse world. Gelding is essential! The horse market in Australia, and the world, is pitiful at the moment, thousands of horses end up in a slaughter yard simply because a backyard breeder didn't take the chance to geld that conformational train wreak that they had for stud, over-populating an already struggling market.
Have any of you ever been to a horse auction? If so, I would assume you have seen the many kill-buyers hovering around the yards like vultures. So many horses, unsound, with awful conformation are sold through the yards for minimal price just because no one wants them, as well as some good, sound horses that should have been given a second chance. Do you know why no one wants them? They linage is nothing special, most are not trained, most have conformation faults that deem them unsound, some have legs that will see them broken down and shot within the next year. The horse industry CAN NOT win. All these people that are anti slaughter, trying to shut down the kill-houses just because it's morally wrong. Now you seem to think it appropriate to say gelding is wrong. Would you say de-sexing a male cat is wrong? How many feral and strays are out there, being ran over or put down every minute?
Before you go ahead and say that horses such as Light Fantastic, Kingston Town or Gunsynd should be left intact, stop for a moment and do your research. Owners make decisions based on their horses conformation, soundness and personality. If a stallion has a nasty hoof problem, and breed, there is a high possibility that the offspring will inherit this problem, this is the same with unsound legs. That would be another young horse no one would want and would end up in the kill yard. Take a look at Derby winner, Big Brown, although he is a successful race horse with correct conformation, he has a nasty hoof problem that will be passed onto and progeny.
I am a horse lover and owner. I have 3 geldings sitting out in that paddock that are fine as geldings, but it would have been a crime to leave them as stallions and pass on their conformation faults to offspring. Do a google search, look at all the conformational train wreaks that are left as stallions and up for stud. Or take a look at the neglected and unloved horses that have come into the world because of these 'studs'.
Not gelding horses would have a traumatic effect on the horse industry. I would advise you to get out of your offices and visit a equine rescue, or go to the next horse sale. Then you can see for yourself that those unwanted horses are sold to the killbuyers to $50. In my opinion it should be a crime to not geld, in my opinion, every colt should be looked over by a panel of experienced horse people and a vet and deemed 'correct' and sound before being left as a stallion to use for stud.
Another question I would like to ask. Have you ever visited a race stable where stallions are kept? Many are unsafe to their grooms, handlers and jockeys, many of them should be gelded, not only because of their personalities but again, also because of conformation faults. Only the best of the best should be left for re-producing. As a person who has handled stallions and colts of all ages, I can stand here and honestly say that 90% of the intact male horses I have handled, shouldn't have been stallions. Again, do a google search, check out all those horses out there that will reproduce offspring that will end up in the kill yard before their first birthday.
Then you appear to have the nerve to suggest we load these stallions with drugs and hormones. Now, I bet that is good for he's health in the long run. Brilliant idea on your behalf to sedate a running stallion. I wonder if he'll make it to the finish line or break down half way through the race. There are reasons theses substances are banned from the racing industry. Would you like your Olympic swimmer to climb in the pool sedated? It's just not safe!
It's not a pretty outlook for the horse industry. We are over populated and unsupported, people like your Jacqualin Magnay should keep such silly opinions to themselves, not use them to secure a page in the newspaper and rile up gelding supporters. It's a war you will never win. De-sexing any animal is essential, so why is it so wrong to geld horses?
Sincerely,
Madi
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Some people are stupid
So there's this woman who owns a big ass clydsedale gelding. He's beautiful, really is. He's 7, was gelded as a 4 year old and he still thinks he's got the goods. He walks all over (let's call her Meg) Meg and she doesn't care, she doesn't do a damned thing, just laughs and dodges his huge hooves as he dances and drags her ass all around the yard.
I have 3 thoroughbreds and a Arab mare. Let me tell you, they all know manners. I firmly believe that you must treat a horse as it would be treated in the herd. If a horse bites the lead stallion, that stallion turns around and convinces the horse that it's about to die, then things go back to normal. I believe that if my horse bites me, I have two seconds to make him think he's going to die, then forget about it.
Well, I got this 17 hand, nasty thoroughbred gelding. He was a rescue. I have a soft spot for poor, nasty, evil, skinny horses. He is now named Homebrand. Awesome name I know :D. Anyway, Homebrand was very pushy and nasty when I first got him, he would bite, kick and really just do anything make me back off as his old owner did. His old owner (Julie) was too scared to get the shithead out of the paddock. Let me make this clear, I got this horse not even a month ago. The first time I caught him, he tried to take a chunk out of my arm. I don't stand for that. Straight away and swiftly, I slapped his nose and growled at him. He was shocked. I could see it in his eyes, it looked to me as if he had never had anyone stand up to him. Well all continued well then, until tea time. He started ugly faces. Ugly faces don't fly with me. He also tried to kick me as I walked by with my other horses feed, I immediately kicked him back. Now, Meg seen this and automatically had a go at me for 'abusing' my horse.
I couldn't help but laugh at her. She has this big ass clydie (Tom) that walks all over her and is her "baby". She doesn't reprimand him if he misbehaves, laughs at him when he mucks up under saddle and lets him attack other horse whilst she has him on a lead. Nice, aye? Poor Homebrand was subject to one of Tom's 'beatings'. I wasn't about to stand there and let him attack Homebrand whilst he was tied up and had no means of escape. So once more, I picked up my lunge whip and with a loud and firm "NO", I smacked Tom's chest with it. When he backed up I then situated myself between my shaking thoroughbred and this nasty clydie. This is how Meg found us. Me brandishing the whip at her 'baby' and her 'baby' cowering in the corner. Cowering, my ass, he was getting ready to have a go at me.
She moved him away from us and went to 'nurse his wounds'. Homebrand had a freely bleeding bite mark on his shoulder. She then returned to see me smacking Homebrand for trying to nip me. She told me that as I have no idea where he came from or of what had happened to him in that past, it was best I didn't smack him and be nice to him. I told her where she could shove her 'advice'. I wonder if she knew that if she took a leaf outta my book and popped Tom a few times when he misbehaved, he would stop walking all over her?
Now Homebrand would not think of biting or kicking, he respects I am his boss and he is a beautiful man. Yesterday he stood tied for about an hour without moving and Julie could not believe he was the same horse. Mind you, he was tied up so I could help Julie with her new horse, this time a 6 year old thoroughbred gelding that is far too hot for her. Episode Two of Madi can handle your horse better then you.
I have 3 thoroughbreds and a Arab mare. Let me tell you, they all know manners. I firmly believe that you must treat a horse as it would be treated in the herd. If a horse bites the lead stallion, that stallion turns around and convinces the horse that it's about to die, then things go back to normal. I believe that if my horse bites me, I have two seconds to make him think he's going to die, then forget about it.
Well, I got this 17 hand, nasty thoroughbred gelding. He was a rescue. I have a soft spot for poor, nasty, evil, skinny horses. He is now named Homebrand. Awesome name I know :D. Anyway, Homebrand was very pushy and nasty when I first got him, he would bite, kick and really just do anything make me back off as his old owner did. His old owner (Julie) was too scared to get the shithead out of the paddock. Let me make this clear, I got this horse not even a month ago. The first time I caught him, he tried to take a chunk out of my arm. I don't stand for that. Straight away and swiftly, I slapped his nose and growled at him. He was shocked. I could see it in his eyes, it looked to me as if he had never had anyone stand up to him. Well all continued well then, until tea time. He started ugly faces. Ugly faces don't fly with me. He also tried to kick me as I walked by with my other horses feed, I immediately kicked him back. Now, Meg seen this and automatically had a go at me for 'abusing' my horse.
I couldn't help but laugh at her. She has this big ass clydie (Tom) that walks all over her and is her "baby". She doesn't reprimand him if he misbehaves, laughs at him when he mucks up under saddle and lets him attack other horse whilst she has him on a lead. Nice, aye? Poor Homebrand was subject to one of Tom's 'beatings'. I wasn't about to stand there and let him attack Homebrand whilst he was tied up and had no means of escape. So once more, I picked up my lunge whip and with a loud and firm "NO", I smacked Tom's chest with it. When he backed up I then situated myself between my shaking thoroughbred and this nasty clydie. This is how Meg found us. Me brandishing the whip at her 'baby' and her 'baby' cowering in the corner. Cowering, my ass, he was getting ready to have a go at me.
She moved him away from us and went to 'nurse his wounds'. Homebrand had a freely bleeding bite mark on his shoulder. She then returned to see me smacking Homebrand for trying to nip me. She told me that as I have no idea where he came from or of what had happened to him in that past, it was best I didn't smack him and be nice to him. I told her where she could shove her 'advice'. I wonder if she knew that if she took a leaf outta my book and popped Tom a few times when he misbehaved, he would stop walking all over her?
Now Homebrand would not think of biting or kicking, he respects I am his boss and he is a beautiful man. Yesterday he stood tied for about an hour without moving and Julie could not believe he was the same horse. Mind you, he was tied up so I could help Julie with her new horse, this time a 6 year old thoroughbred gelding that is far too hot for her. Episode Two of Madi can handle your horse better then you.
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