Katie at A Girl and Her Horse has recently put up a post regarding My Little Pony‘s 25th Anniversary and the corresponding competition 25 Ponies for 25 Years.  Check out some of the awesome designs and perhaps purchase one (at a ridiculous price but for a more than worthy cause).

It got me thinking about horse toys in general and for the clever designer, perhaps there’s a career or a nice little money earner on the side of something else.

I’d near forgotten about these horse toys that my sisters and I played with as kids.  It’s nice to see that they’re still being bought and produced.  Perhaps you have an idea for a horse related toy – with the internet reaching so many it’s feasible these days to set up an online business, advertise and sell the product with low set up costs.

Perhaps you have the artistic talent/are the brains behind the brilliant idea and just need someone to fund it.  In Australia there’s an incentive scheme that’s available to equip people to set up and run their own business by providing them with training and funds.  I’m sure it’s not the only one of it’s kind.

Last year for my birthday my younger sister and her husband gave me a gorgeously painted model horse, Silverado.

You can take a look at the collections over the years.  Personally I’d love Northern Lights by Janee Hughes but don’t have the $6,000 spare for the life size version!  The Trail of Painted Ponies is a gorgeous growing collection that is more of a ‘toy’ for adults, but a horse related joy all the same.

Perhaps you’d like to paint your own and try your luck at getting it recognised as the newest addition to the Painted Ponies Collection.

“The delicate and exquisite horse is itself a work of art.” – Bertrand Leclair

tag: horse art, horse figurine, equine models, horse toys, my little pony, contemporary art

I’ve heard a whisper at work that Racing Victoria is planning to set up a sector that helps to rehabilitate jockeys that have had to come out of the industry due to a fall, illness, etc and help them get back into the industry when fit to do so.  I’m not sure if there is yet such a governing body in Australia and would welcome information if anyone has any.

Perhaps this is where your passion lies, though.  You have an interest in horses and those that are dedicated to putting their all into such an industry as racing, breeding, eventing.  For those who have grown up working with horses and this is where their skills lie, it’s life altering to have a work related injury or illness and not be able to continue with the one thing you know how to do.

In the UK, there is the likes of Racing Welfare that caters to helping employers, employees and the retired of the racing industry, any of which are in need due to accident, illness, age or misfortune.  They offer counselling and advice, financial assistance, healthy living and well-being and affordable housing.

The Injured Jockeys Fund has for over 44 years been providing care, compassion and financial help to jockeys that have been injured.  The Jockeys Employment and Training Scheme also helps to equip jockeys for a career after race riding.There are many different areas that need to be catered to in order to help those who had made a life out of one equine industry or another and for whatever reason, this has been cut short.

Newmarket Racing Partnership addresses the issues of addiction through a ‘supportive framework of education, advice and treatment.’

If your interest is in the welfare of others who have been forced to leave work with horses for any given reason, perhaps it is worth pursuing what set ups in your country provide support services like these.

“If you start getting nervous about getting hurt you will be….If you are worrying about the danger it’s time to give up.” – Jason Weaver (jockey)

tag: equine workers welfare racing welfare jockey injured jockeys fund newmarket racing partnership riding racing equine careers united kingdom

Tuesday a representative of Kentucky Equine Research came out to speak to the students regarding nutrition, particularly that of the pregnant mare, weanlings and yearlings.  She presented a well put together power point presentation and capably answered queries, despite having only just gotten back into the country after helping out with the Australian horses at the Beijing Olympics.

KER is well known to the Thoroughbred Industry and I’ve been introduced to their services through my studies at TAFE, the Irish National Stud and while working on Thoroughbred Studs.

It’s not uncommon for the larger studs to employ a nutritionist or two to assess their current feeding methods and suggest appropriate changes to get the best out of these born athletes.

At the end of the session, the staff member recommended that for those interested in pursuing nutrition (and why not – having knowledge in this area can put you streets ahead of others), work experience would be the way to go.

This was the point where my attention was wholly grabbed, and it seemed to be the case for a few of the students too.  Here is an internationally recognised company that is happy to take on people – not just students – and teach them about the nutrition industry, giving them a foot in the door.

Some facts:
– KER is internationally recognised, being set up in North America, Australia and other places internationally.
– The last 5 people employed at KER in Australia had previously done work experience with KER.
– The end of the breeding season (around December each year) is an opportune time to do a few weeks work experience in which you will learn about the products and marketing them, dealing with clients nutritional queries over the phone and going out on the road with KER staff to assess particular stud’s feeding regimes and potential adjustments.

Be sure to check out the KER website if this appeals at all.

“Bread may feed my body, but my horse feeds my soul.”

tag: equine management, equine nutrition, horse studies, equine growth, horse diet