.:EQUUS:.

Available qualified chiropractors within Australia are slowly growing in numbers, suiting the demand for this type of practice. There are those that cater to animals in general and those that specifically focus on horses.

The best I have seen so far may be qualified in this field but they also have a background of veterinary practice focusing on horses, acupuncture or perhaps osteopathy, causing them to be someone who is qualified to look at the horse from all angles, giving a holistic approach to alleviate a problem.

For someone interested in specialising in chiropractic work that is focused on horses, there is a long path ahead of you to be qualified in this area.

Chiropractic courses generally focus on work on people and these studies can be around five or six years in length. Once completing this or having become a certified veterinarian, there are animal specific chiropractic courses that are open to you, based on your acquired knowledge or qualification which is listed as a prerequisite to partake in the animal related chiropractic course.

Places that advertise chiropractic care for horses:
http://www.chirotechnic.com.au/horse.html
http://www.pomonavet.com.au/chiropractic.php
http://latrobevet.com.au/pages/chiropractic.htm - Also lists symptoms that may lead to the need for chiropractic work.
James Picton - Equine chiropractor, osteopath, acupuncturist.

Chiropractic Courses:
Chiropractic at RMIT
Animal Chiropractic Course, RMIT.

“Ten ways to get in shape to own a horse… practice dialing your chiropractor’s number with both arms paralyzed to the shoulder, and one foot anchoring the lead rope of a frisky horse.”

tag: horse chiropractic work, chiropractor course, acupuncture, australia, osteopathy, veterinary, horse course

I was chatting with the Horse Studies coordinator today about a student who’s currently undertaking a horse course with the view to getting into Veterinary Nursing. The coordinator informed me that Box Hill was adjusting their Vet Nursing course so that rather than applicants having to have employment in a vet nursing role (which is a common pre-requisite), someone employed on a horse stud can also apply to do the course.

For those who are interested in pursuing a Vet Nursing career, doing a Certificate IV while in employment can lead to later completing a Diploma that focuses on Surgical, Dental or Emergency / Critical Care.

For personal interest, I’ve been considering doing a Vet Nursing / Equine Nursing course to learn more about a specialised area of horse or animal care. However becoming employed at a vet practice isn’t something I foresee happening in the future as this isn’t particularly where I want to work.

So, although the interest is there to learn more, it wasn’t really possible because I didn’t want to pursue vet nursing as a career. I do love stud work however and would consider going back to it, so it’s exciting to know that I could and also be doing a Vet Nursing course, gaining another qualification and learning more skills that will be helpful in stud work.

Sometimes if you don’t think you can do what you want for a particular course, it’s worth looking around at all the possibilities to see if there might be just one that does things a little differently. Sometimes it’s just a question of taking a different path… er, window.

“They told me that when I bought a horse I would meet lots of new people. I did, and everyone of them is holding out their hands for money - the farrier, the saddler, the vet etc.”

tag: course, horse stud, diploma, australia, TAFE, education, equine nursing, vet nursing, equine dentistry

Droughts can be one of the biggest enemies of those who utilise their land to keep livestock going. Consequently, it is worth investing in someone who can help us to maintain pastures to the best of our capabilities and price range. This should help to minimise potential costs in regards to keeping our horses fed.

On my dream 400 acres, I plan to have 300 acres for the agistment (livery) of 100 horses. This way I’ll have the chance to rotate pastures, making sure the property doesn’t get overgrazed and fields therefore damaged. I’ll also look into getting advice from someone who knows a thing or two about the maintenance of paddocks.

Other than for grazing, a grassy area may need to be maintained on an equine related property for competitive uses such as grass racetracks, a polo field or cross country course or something to that effect.

Investing at least once a year in someone to come out and help with harrowing, reseeding, putting down lime and other such maintenance measures may mean the difference between a good or bad pasture for grazing the following year.

There are many things we can do ourselves to maintain paddocks but there are also businesses out there that specialise in this field (pardon the pun).

Take a look at:
- Burrows Contractors - located in Berkshire in the UK, they specialise in land drainage for equestrian facilities, paddock maintenance and more.
- Almighty Fodder Systems - A system aiming to utilise the grain you would normally feed to stock and allow it to germinate to increase the amount of feed available to stock, thereby saving money.

There are also courses that cover pasture management:
- ACS Distance Education - 100 hour course focusing on grass varieties, establishing pastures and managing pastures plus more.
- Day course in Tasmania

It is also possible to partake in Agricultural courses that cover a broad range of subjects relating to specific livestock and pasture management. In a time where weather conditions make it hard for us to keep properties going, those who are able to provide manageable and cost effective ways to keep properties from going under may just find themselves in a business that is in huge demand.

“We two have shared great joy and great sorrow. And now I stand at the gate of the paddock watching you run in an ecstasy of freedom, knowing you will return to stand quietly, loyally beside me.” - Pam Brown

tag: property design, property management, equine nutrition, maintenance, pasture management

I’ve taken part in a few horse courses since 2001 and each one has had a subject focused on the values of equine nutrition. And rightly so. At both TAFE and while in Ireland the education facilities had provided for someone from Kentucky Equine Research to come out and speak to us about their products and their findings regarding different types of feed and their benefits to horses.

If you’re interested in KER, take a look at their current career opportunities, positions being available July 2008.

At TAFE we were taught about concentrates, roughage, mixed feeds, pellets and more and how to store these different types of feeds. A horse’s diet should consist mainly of bulk (roughage) such as grass/hay but also be provided with hard feeds that may give other vitamins/amino acids that are important for their general health and growth.

Many feed companies now cater to classes of horses, making up feeds for the older horse, mares in foal, mares with a foal at foot, a working stallion, competitive horses and those in light work. It’s worth finding out what your horse needs in it’s diet and shopping around to find the type of feed and cost that best suits you. Also consider where you’re going to store it to avoid mould and vermin causing problems.

For those interested there is definitely a market in researching and designing feeds for horses that fit their fitness level and diet requirements as well as assessing the diets of classes of horses and making adjustments/providing information regarding possible improvements.

Some links to consider:
http://nrc88.nas.edu/nrh/ - This site allows you to work out what your horse needs in the form of nutrients based on weight, exercise and type of feed.
http://desertequinebalance.blogspot.com/ - A blog dedicated to equine nutrition.
Pryde’s Easifeed
Mitavite Feeds
Hygain Feeds

“The Horse. Here is nobility without conceit, Friendship without envy, Beauty without vanity. A willing servant, yet no slave.” - Ronald Duncan

tag: horse studies, equine nutrition, horse diet

I’m back home this evening from two days at Mill Valley Ranch with a few classes worth of Certificate II in Horse Studies students. Apparently each year the first and second year students spend the two days at Mill Valley Ranch making use of the gorgeous horses on the property and willing staff having riding lessons and getting marked off for practical tasks as part of their certificate.

I was lucky enough to be asked to help out with the two days, assessing students on tacking up horses, putting on different types of boots/protective gear and dismantling and putting together parts of the saddle/bridle. I learnt quite a bit from the students while doing so!

They’re a very switched on group which is great - I think back to when I did my Certificate II and don’t think my year consisted of so many that were so familiar with horses and the management of. It was a great two days and as one who hadn’t been to Mill Valley Ranch before, I was interested to hear from Arthur who set it up and how that came about.

On the Thursday night he spent half an hour or so explaining to the group how he came to be a Christian in his teens and how things lead to him setting up the Ranch which really offers value for money. It shows through the cost and the staff that they aren’t about making money. They are about providing a service and shining the light of their beliefs. I had an absolute ball.

Something that really resonated with me was Arthur’s talk of how he traveled around a lot of ranches/camps as his great desire was to set up his own place. As he did so, he made note of things he wanted and would use in his own place and has done so, making it uniquely his.

I kept thinking - this is me! I do the same with all the horse properties I visit and have a terrible habit of collecting seeds from places if the plant appeals to me. It’s all in my head how the place is going to look! I’m just waiting for the time I stumble across the property where I can set up my horse property and serve others.

“Life is short. Ride hard.”

tag: Mill Valley Ranch, horse camp, , horseriding, course, australia, education, certificate II, horse studies, equine ministry, carriage driving