People say...
Peter Borgdorff
Australian Equine Dental Practice
When evaluating the well-being of the horse it is vital to consider both its physical and mental state. Addressing the interaction between horse and human, as well as the interaction of horse and environment needs to form part of that evaluation. To be able to improve the well-being of the horse means to be able to value the needs of the horse over the convenience of a person; more so if an owner is to be successful in working with the horse in an enjoyable and trusting relationship.
As an equine dentist, I aim to ensure the horse will be pain and infection-free, able to masticate efficiently, and be ridden comfortably, just to name a few. I also try to stimulate owners and carers to meet many related requirements such as appropriate feeding, environment, and equipment. Importantly, owners need to consider these requirements from the horse's perspective.
Horses are amazing individuals. The standard of care for each individual should be just as amazing."
Jane Clothier
As a bodyworker and saddle fitter, I occasionally find seeing so many horses in physical pain draining. Doing things ‘one horse at a time’ can seem way too slow in the face of so many issues around horse care, not to mention both inadvertent and deliberate neglect (of course, one of those groups would never get someone like me to visit their horse). Yet, it’s not just the horse that we get to see, but its owner too, and that owner will often go away and talk to their friends. This gives us an opportunity to gently raise awareness of factors that can lead to damage or pain, reaching an increasingly wide circle of people and in turn their horses.
Effective communication does not need to happen in person. So many ways now exist to communicate online and this makes it possible to help far more horses than those we meet on a daily basis. My work now includes saddle fit workshops for horse owners, as well as saddle fit demo/talks for clubs, a social media site and an online saddle fit seminar.
It’s only by playing our own small part that we can collectively lift the game when it comes to horse welfare."
Robyn Larson-Shelton JENT, EBW, ERLT, MFR
Equine Miracle and Pet Miracle
If you horse isn’t smiling at you, you’ve got it wrong!How do you know if your horse is smiling at you?Your face will reflect his smile!If your horse isn’t smiling at you, go find out why!Where do you find that information?From the horse person who speaks highly of their horse,The person who doesn’t ever blame their horse,The person who surrounds themselves with others who have the skills to answer the inevitable questions!
On a daily basis I work not only with the physical health of the horse, but also their mental/emotional well being, the two are often inseparable. It’s my job to quietly educate people, and I see that as the responsibility of all caring, genuinely knowledgeable horse people.
Don’t just walk/drive/ride past, Stop and find a way to help the horse."
Lee & Danny Woodland
You need to love and respect your horse 100% of the time.
When you choose to look after a horse it is a big responsibility but the rewards for loving one of god’s creatures are remarkable.
Please educate yourself in how it is best to look after your horse. If you don’t know, then find out...there is no excuse for ignorance.
Look after your horsemanship and your horsemanship will look after you.”
Anita Brojatsch
I believe that if you bring a life into this world, you care and commit yourself to that life for its eternity, however long that may be. If you cannot guarantee the life you create a long, healthy, and well cared for existence, then do not think about adding to the over burden of unwanted horses we have already.
Crossing breeds and giving them a fancy name is not a new breed of horse it is still a cross bred, no matter what you call it. Breed to improve a breed, not for the sake of breeding. Nothing irritates me more than people telling me that their mares have temperament issues, and they have been told to “put her in foal”. This will not solve the problem, it contributes to the already large number of senselessly bred horses, and chances are, the foal will inherit the mare's behaviour, after all, the mare is more important in the breeding of a foal than the stallion.... If you feel that 'dogging' is a suitable end for this noble beast then you should not be involved with horses.
Not everyone is cut out to own a horse, be honest with yourself, are you? Having a horse as a friend is a privilege we don’t all deserve, and we cannot demand their respect, it must be earned.
They are very forgiving, and will be a friend for life if you are their friend for life."
Dr. Judith L. Mulholland - BSc. BVMS
Farriervet
Hang around long enough and someone will give you one.
The horse is a man made species with no true genetic relative left in the wild. We ate them out of existence 6000 years ago. The domesticated few became the willing partner of man. Therefore, nothing angers me more than the slow, chronic, neglect of horses. We created the problems but they suffer for it.
Do not breed what you cannot take long-term responsibility for. Wild or domestic it is the unrestrained breeding of horse's that leads to oversupply, low value and environmental degradation.
I have made a lifetime commitment to one horse. That is what I can afford."
Megan Jones - Olympian
Olympic Silver Medalist
Kirby Park Stud Manager
Coach & Rider
In any type of competition the horse's welfare is the priority, and this is what I always have in the front of mind while competing.
We are lucky to be able to indulge our competitive side because our horses let us. Don't misuse this willingness, it should be cherished and looked after.
From a small child to now, my motto has always been 'Think of my horse before myself'."
Jane Myers - BA MSc. (Masters) Equine Studies
Equiculture
Equine welfare has always been a very important subject. No less so now that horses are mainly our recreational companions rather than our working tools. In fact, even though many issues are similar, (ignorance leading to intentional and unintentional cruelty), there are many other issues that are on the rise.
My own area of interest is that of the 'lifestyle' of the horse. Due to ignorance about what horses really are, and what they really need, horses are often kept in hugely inappropriate surroundings. Surroundings that's equivalent would not even meet the standards of a second rate zoo in a third world country. Think about electric collars for crib biters, and think about the size of stable that competition horses are forced to endure for years on end.
Much cruelty inflicted upon horses takes place 'behind closed doors'. Education is the key to a better understanding. That is my aim - to educate, and challenge, and change entrenched and outdated inappropriate methods of horse keeping."
John O'Leary - Horseman
Horseproblems
It has been my privilege to hear the messages from twenty odd thousand Coaches, all with four legs and all speaking the truth. Horses communicate to us 100% of the time but how many of us ‘Listen to our Horses’? They are never wrong.
Having reached the twilight of my career, I am proud to say that finally, I can read their minds and know that they are reading our minds, 100% of the time. You can be assured that every future experience of the so called ‘Naughty Horse’ that you encounter, will never be the fault of the Horse. It is always ours. We must always look in the mirror for the reason.
I can also pass onto you that of all of the so called bad behavior that I meet on a daily basis, it is only ever triggered by them attempting to communicate their pain, confusion or frustration that we don’t understand or hear. When Horses finally arrive at bucking, kicking or rearing, it is only because they have reached the frustrated state of having to ‘SHOUT at us’……all because we didn’t listen.
In my experience then, the great majority of Animal Cruelty that I see, is simply caused by ignorance and a lack of education of well meaning Owners, by the Horse industry at large.
Wear your Heart in your Hands."
Jane Duckworth - B.Ed. Dip. of Arts
Animal rights and welfare is the subject of much current debate. I hoped to get to the heart of this debate, particularly as it relates to the use and care of horses, by writing 'They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? The Treatment of Horses in Australia'.
A lack of general public awareness about equine welfare issues is the first hurdle to overcome if progress is to be made. I have investigated and questioned the degree to which horses may suffer during various competitive disciplines, including the horse racing industry. Some conventional establishment practices of husbandry, working, training and riding are researched in so far as they may cause suffering. The treatment of brumbies, Australia’s wild horse, will challenge and enrage many.
By joining networks of like-minded people through Quest and other horse welfare and protection groups, and by educating ourselves through reading, we will be spurred on to help bring about improvement of life for equines in Australia.”
Anthony Gorring - Owner/Trainer/Breeder
Glen Avon Lodge & Hazlewood Thoroughbred Studs
The degree of care for his animals is one of the most important skills a good horseman can have.
Stay ahead of their every need.
Feed before they are hungry.
End it before they stop.
Be proud to put them on display.Give them a career they are happy to succeed in."
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