HORSE TALK

You hear some horror stories from time to time about horse float accidents. I am not sure if they have got worse in modern times, but some of the parts used in imported floats dont seem to be as good as they used to.

Whatever your float it should be serviced every year. Particularly bearings, floor wear and suspension. Wheel nuts should also be checked regularly.

One thing that is often overlooked is tyre pressure. I have been running my tyres at too low a pressure for years. Why? Probably because that is what I was once told to do.

Light truck tyres on a horse float should be run at about 40PSI. This is an excellent information page on tyres I fount from MAXTT International in New Zealand.

Hours of free recording of the Road to the Horse 2023 in Texas. Includes around 8 hours full coverage from each day hosted on the Western Horseman webpage. In addition to the competition there are lots of master class clinics and demonstrations.

https://westernhorseman.com/international-livestream-road-to-the-horse-2023/

Friends recently bought a new horse for their daughter. I didn’t see the horse in advance so I didn’t know what to expect. He was a good looking Quarter Horse, apart from his feet which had been neglected. That isn’t a good sign to start with but not a deal breaker.

He cost $5,000 which is about average nowadays. I am not sure how he will go, as a new horse is always a bit of a question mark, but from what I have seen so far, there is a bit of work to be done as he doesn’t move forward willingly.

I am still back in the days of thinking you can get a good horse for $1000 but to be honest that is unrealistic. I have just sent our new horse (Finn) to be started. He cost $3,000, and will cost another $3,000 to be started. In an age when people are paying thousands of dollars for puppies, or even cattle are selling for a couple of thousand dollars a head, it is understandable that horse should cost a lot more than they do. That said, you can buy a lemon for $1,000 or for $100,000. Believe me I have seen both.

Having a new horse, Finn, (and a broken collarbone) I have enlisted the help of a friend and master horseman Shane Woodall, from Rokewood, Victoria to do a few sessions with before he is sent off to be started.

Whilst a good horse is never a bad colour, I have always loved Palominos. Hopefully a good horse that is a good colour. We have mainly had Arabs over the years, and whilst they are a bit reactive, they are very smart, attentive and people focused. Finn is a Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred and is very different to what we are used to. He has just turned five, and I think he has had more carrots and hugs than any basic education. He has a good nature and no apparent dirt, but he also has no respect or understanding about personal space. That is why we got Shane to do a couple of sessions with him, just to teach him to focus, stand still, back and lead.

Excellent video. No quick fixes unfortunately, but just relating behavior to performance/pain is really thought provoking.