.:EQUUS:.

Picture it - 20 stalls, 10 on either side of a breezeway that is as wide as the 12′(3.6m) x 12′ boxes. Rug racks on each door that double as somewhere to hang a head collar and lead rope. A hay rack, built in or removable feeder, automatic waterer or perhaps you prefer a bucket that can be topped up daily. Concrete flooring or tiles that heat up or maybe a rubber matting.

An architect can design all of these things, providing you with your dream stable on paper and quite possibly the contacts that can turn that design into a reality. So why not a wash bay with hot and cold water, a tack room and feed room attached?

Now, will you have solid walls or perhaps the top half as mesh so the horses can see each other?

A property I worked at had a round yard attached and access to an eight horse walker from inside the stable block. In Ireland where I worked each stall opened out to a yard, the stalls forming the perimeter of the yard. The block would be in a horse shoe shape or circle, keeping things enclosed but allowing each occupant to see outside.

Others have been different again - some lucky stallions have their own stall/stable as is the likes at many Thoroughbred studs around the world.

Stables can be costly but when it comes to a place where our equines can be spending a lot of the day, a design that works for us (and them) is important. It needs to be safe, effective and efficient. Someone who’s been around horses and designed and viewed many different complexes would be worth using to design your dream stables.

And if this specifically interests you, perhaps it’s worth investigating a possible career in this area.

http://www.saltirestables.co.uk/ - Stable design in Scotland.
http://www.winnerscirclestables.com.au/ - Stable design and construction in Australia.
http://www.equiworld.net/stabling/stabledesign.htm - Important things to consider for your own stable design or even when looking for a stable to keep your horse in.

“If horses were wishes, We’d all own stables!”

tag: property design, stable design, architecture, horse stalls

During TAFE while planning a stud on an unlimited budget (I wish) for an assignment, as a class we were encouraged to consider fencing, what type we’d prefer but to also recognise for those studs on a budget what type of fencing is more likely to be used and the advantages/disadvantages of the different types.

If on a budget, it had been pointed out to us that the class of horse should be considered. For example, for paddocks or yards that are inclined to house mares and foals, then perhaps a post and rail fence is the best choice (and if you want to go all out, why not Diamond Mesh?).

A boutique stud I worked on had all their paddocks decked out with post and rail and the yards were diamond mesh, considered a very safe form of fencing. The yards were where a lot of work was done with handling the foals and then later as weanlings.

For dry or barren mares, post and wire fences will be a cheaper alternative and these older, larger class of horses are less likely to get themselves caught up in a fence or end up going through.

Many a time on a couple of studs, my workmates and I have had to catch a foal and return it to it’s paddock and frantic mother. If bottom rails or wires are too high off the ground, it’s very easy for a foal to doze off on a fence line and wake up on the other side. Not a lot of fun if this fence line happens to have been poorly planned and the young horse ends up in a paddock full of barren mares who are very curious!

Even if wire is your only possibility, you can improve the safety of this class of fencing by introducing a strand of sighter wire. It’s the white strand in the picture shown. This improves the visibility of the fence as wire fences are hard to see from a distance.

Personally, I’d love to have post and rail across my dream 400 acres but will settle for post and wire, with a sighter wire as the middle strand and a top rail to improve visibility. Oh, and when I get my place I’ll want a maintenance man (or woman) who is very cluey about setting up fencing and where to get the best product for the best price!

There are fencing companies out there that specifically cater for horses, providing an equine related job for those who are interested in producing this kind of product or designing one that is focused on safely restricting horses to a particular area. Many are moving away from wooden posts and wire, moving to synthetic products like polyethylene that are recognised as aesthetically pleasing as well as safer for horses.

Take a look at:
- http://www.derbyfence.com/
- http://www.flexafence.com/

“Horse person’s glossary… Fence: Decorative structure built to provide your horse something to chew on.”

tag: horse stud, property design, maintenance, fencing

I was going through with some of the kids their handy mount, show jumping and agility yesterday for the 2008 EFA Mitavite Victorian Interschool Championships (boy is that a mouthful!) and had a girl in the group that I’ve not met before. She had a gorgeous pony, gorgeous gear to match and this really eye catching saddle cover - I just loved it!

Turns out that she bought it on eBay along with a cover for her riding helmet, bridle bag and apparently the woman that makes and sells them does other covers as well for boots, tail bags and more. Her mother couldn’t remember the name of the seller on eBay but I’ve found a few that seem to be selling a small variety of saddle covers and was surprised to find side saddle covers, too!

It did make me think though that for those who are capable sewers that this could be a nice little sideline business, perhaps for a mum with young kids who could do with bringing in some extra funds for the family or a student who sews and needs to be earning money alongside studying.

The saddle covers and other items really wouldn’t cost a lot in the way of material and elastic needed and from observing a sister who sews and how quickly she can put together simple outfits, I believe these items could be made reasonably quickly meaning when taking into account the cost for materials (pardon the pun) and time invested, you could sell them cheaply while still making a profit.

Some sellers I found on eBay (alternatively you could just do a search on saddle covers):
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmygirlgemini - My Girl Gemini provides covers for western saddles and other gear.
http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZ6313catherine - Catherine provides plain coloured saddle covers for general purpose saddles.
http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZjadeeyes261 - Jade Eyes has some eye catching prints for general purpose saddles.
http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZ3992izzie - Izzie has general purpose and side saddle covers, helmet covers and more.

If this appeals to you, it wouldn’t be difficult or expensive to pick out some eye catching materials and make a half dozen or so examples to put up on eBay. Others have done so with other items, such as Axiom rugs where there seems to be a couple each day up for bid. The appeal to this is a constant turnover for you and at least if people come to like your product, you know they can always find it at the same address which is accessible to all with an Internet connection. And honestly, the advertising cost versus the number of people that could potentially find your product is extremely good.

Take a look at how others are doing things, how they advertise their product, how long it’s up for bid, postage costs and what seems to be popular and why not see if you can provide a product of similar or better standard that is keeping you busy, earning money and doing something you enjoy.

“A pony is a childhood dream, A horse is an adulthood treasure.” - Rebecca Carroll

tag: saddle covers, helmet covers, bridle bags, job benefits, online jobs, Axiom, horse business

Be it a horse float, trailer or a horsebox, there’s no doubt that these ‘vehicles’ for transporting our horses come in all shapes and sizes to suit the demand of the buyer. Personally, I’d love to have a three horse float that is an angle loader… oh, to find the money!

Whether they be single, double, angle loaders, made to live in as well as travel horses, with a divider or without, they can be purchased from a myriad of suppliers and custom made.

For someone who loves horses but their skills lie more in the area of trailer design and construction, perhaps this is the business for you. Or perhaps you’d rather sell the product than create it.

Other possibilities include hiring out the float/truck to those who can’t afford to purchase their own and thereby making a service out of the product you’ve purchased or providing the floating service yourself for a fee.

Some providers to consider:
http://www.horsefloats.com.au/ - Business located in South Australia showing a wide variety as well as towing tips.
http://www.mjhorseboxes.com/ - Offering custom made, second hand or new with living spaces integrated into the vehicle.
http://www.olympictrailers.com.au/ - Offering quotes, dealers in six states and testimonials, based on South Australia.
http://www.karakar.com.au/ - Situated in New South Wales, offering a variety of new and used with finance available.
http://www.pegasusfloats.com.au/ - Located in Victoria, Australia and offering new and used floats and horse trucks.
http://www.wyhorseboxes.com/ - Offering pricings on 2, 3 and 4 horse bodies, a gallery and virtual tour inside a float. Located in West Yorkshire.
http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/ - American site advertising many used and new trailers. Heaps to browse through and choose from.

“Spring and summer are riding on a piebald mare.” - Russian Proverb”

tag: horse float, horsebox, horse trailer, vehicle, towing, horse transport

As someone who really isn’t artistic, I’m amazed at what I find others doing with horse related things, or depicting how we see horses whether it be through photography, sculpting, painting, drawing, you name it. One site that I’ve recently found is Wire Inspire and inspire it sure does! Artist Angela Hook took the time to answer some questions regarding her unique art.

Have you always been interested in horses and when did you start bringing horses into your wire artwork?
Yes, I have loved horses from day one… Typical horse-crazy girl. It was no surprise that the first thing I made when I was experimenting with wire was a horse! (here’s a photo of my first wire sculpture).

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
Well, I board my horse, so I don’t see him every day… Maybe 3 or 4 times a week. My art studio is open to the public 5 days a week, and while I’m here I am surrounded by my artwork, which is primarily of an equine theme.

In this field is it possible for someone to be a full time professional, earning a livable income?
It is… I would not consider myself a ‘full time’ equine artist, as I also do graphic design work, but there are many successful examples out there.

What are the general steps taken to be able to create and sell your own artwork?
There are many different options…I started by attending some Christmas craft shows with my work. Through that, I met other artists and learned of opportunities to sell my art through shops and galleries on consignment. Over the years, I have been juried into larger art shows and begun selling online as well. This year I had my first solo show at the community art gallery. By constantly marketing yourself, you increase the awareness of your work and ensure collectors that you are serious about growing your reputation and value as an artist. Some artists choose to have agents or galleries represent their work, while I decided to build a gallery right at my house so that I can make my art available to guests who visit my studio.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing an artistic career relating to horses?
One of the internet communities that I belong to is the Equine Artists Guild and that might be a good place to start. Looking at all of the different styles and mediums out there and learning as much as you can about the industry.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
Anything, really! I’m very interested in the popularity of natural horsemanship these days and I’d like to learn all that I can about horse psychology.

Favourite horse memory?
Wow… There are so many. But a highlight for me as a teenager was when the Lipizzan Stallions stayed at our barn and we got to help bathe these amazing creatures the day before their show. It was the horse-lover’s equivalent of being back stage at a rock concert!

Future goals?
I have recently been working with equine photography and painting too… I would love to keep learning and practicing and using my creative skills to capture and share the beautiful spirit of the horse with others.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
I think the best thing about a career in the arts is perhaps the flexibility. It may not be for everyone, but I really enjoy working at night. This allows me to spend time during the day riding!

“A horse is the projection of peoples’ dreams about themselves-strong, powerful, beautiful-and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.” - Pam Brown

tag: equine art, job benefits, graphic design, contemporary art