Blog : Equus Education

A Chance to Come True (Copperhead Creek – Australian Romance #1) by S M Spencer

August 28, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

A Chance to Come True is the first book in the Copperhead Creek series. In this, Caity Jones finds herself chasing a sea change. With a job that is stressful and unenjoyable and an ex-boyfriend who refused to commit to marriage and a family, Caity purchases a small acreage in country Australia and moves from her busy life in Werribee.

Willows is a tiny town, but it seems perfect for Caity. She can pursue her dream to write, have her horse on her property and enjoy the company of her cats. Dropping into the local feed store in preparation for her gelding’s arrival, she meets the owner Tom. The attraction is instant, but Caity isn’t sure it’s reciprocated. And besides, she moved to Willows to get away from men and to focus on writing.

In time Caity learns about Tom’s children and realises that he’s a married man. She strikes up an unlikely friendship with his eldest son, Porter and is soon giving him the chance to ride her horse Rocky. As Caity meets the rest of Tom’s children, she comes to develop a friendship with them and enjoys their company. Her interest in Tom doesn’t wane. In fact, it grows as she learns of his availability. It seems the attraction isn’t one-sided, also.

A Chance to Come True is an entertaining romance set in rural Australia. The characters are realistic and battling typical issues – insecurities about themselves and life. One aspect of the story I struggled with was Caity’s ex-boyfriend. At one point, his behaviour was incredibly inappropriate and it amazed me that she would allow him to leave without having to account for his actions. The topic of spousal abuse is touched on and I felt shouldn’t be left without police intervention. Otherwise the story is a nice romance with realistic issues in life.

Author – S M Spencer
Fiction – Adult
In my library – as an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

5 Horse Innovations You may not Know

August 25, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Many people choose a career with horses because they have found a particular industry they would love to work in, or because they love any job that relates to horses! Others see a gap and are motivated to fill it. In come the entrepreneurs of horse inventions. Here are 5 horse innovations that you may not know about. I think they’re totally cool!

Megasus Horserunners – Equus Education put together a post on this nifty looking horse shoe earlier in 2017. It was followed up with the opportunity to profile one of the people involved in this horse shoe campaign. Have a read!
Most recently I was contacted about another initiative that was looking for funding backers. They were keen to know if I could put together a post. The Anitar RFID is another great horse innovation. It is a tool that reads microchips, can fit in your pocket and is even hooked up to the Norweigan Studbook for locals who purchase and use the chip reader.
The Equilume is used on studs around the world as a tool to increase artificial daylight for mares in a bid to get them cycling earlier. This can lead to earlier conception and therefore earlier foals the following season!
The Cornell Collar has been designed specifically for horses that have issues with soft palate displacement. There’s always room for more products that aid in horse management and welfare in my books!
Now this one appealed to me greatly. The Eco Rocker, a sustainable rocking horse! Who wouldn’t be interested in that, seriously?

5 Horse Innovations You may not Know

So what do you think of these 5 horse innovations? Pretty cool, huh? What I love is that the above horse innovations cover the areas of sustainability and the environment as well as entertainment, horse welfare and horse management. I have no doubt there are many more great horse related products that will be created in the future. The question is, will you be one of the people to create them or to help provide finances for them to get off the ground? Think on it.

Profile On: Beth Chamberlin, Zoopharmacognosist at Equinepharmacognosy

August 23, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Beth works in the area of equinepharmacognosy. She was kind enough to take the time to answer some questions about her profession.

Beth Chamberlin of Equinepharmacognosy

How much of your day/week is related to horses?
The majority of my day is related to horses. Whether it be my own, working with clients’ horses, preparing remedies or planning for future lectures and demonstrations.

What is it exactly that you do?
I work with horses using Applied Zoopharmacognosy (self medication). Zoopharmacognosy is the practice in which wild animals self medicate using an evolutionary adaptation in which their innate instinct enables them to communicate and relate with medicinal plants within their environment, to bring about health and well being.

Unfortunately domestication and captive environments has restricted the opportunity for animals to use their instinctive knowledge to select nature’s medicines. Applied Zoopharmacognosy takes this practice into domestic and captive environments by allowing the animal to self select plant extracts that have been offered whilst always allowing the animal to walk away from a remedy when not needed. Animals with the same symptoms may choose to select a different remedy which is why this approach highlights the fact that this is individualized medicine.

In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
With time and effort I do believe it is possible to be a full time professional in this career. With successful cases, recommendations from clients often bring in new work. Promoting the subject through lectures and demonstrations also has provided new opportunities.

Beth Chamberlin of Equinepharmacognosy

What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
Enrolling with the Ingraham Academy of Zoopharmacognosy. Then learning the science behind animal self medication and building up a portfolio of case studies are the first steps to be taken.

Favourite horse memory?
My favourite memory is the journey I took with my own horse using Applied Zoopharmacognosy and seeing the results with his recovery. I was so fascinated by the subject I then went on to train at the academy. If it wasn’t for my horse Thomas I may not have ended up where I am today.

Future goals?
My future goals are to be able to provide a service whereby clients are able to bring their animals to where I am based. I would also like to take my work overseas and to expand to working with other species of animals.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The best thing about my profession is seeing the results of the animals recovery. It is so rewarding.

Take the Reins by Shari Jaeger Goodwin

August 21, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I was able to download this book for free in June and was interested to read another non-fiction book that had a horse focus. In Take the Reins 7 Secrets to Inspired Leadership, business coach Shari Jaeger Goodwin shares tips and processes to be a successful leader in business. She puts a unique spin on this in her Alpha Horse Leadership Training for HUMANS.

If you are familiar with the behavioural habits of horses, you may know that there is often an alpha horse or mare in a herd. This is the head horse that makes decisions about what is best for the herd’s survival. This horse needs to be sure of what they want and to display this to the rest of the group.

Take the Reins! 7 Secrets to Inspired Leadership by Shari Jaeger Goodwin

Likewise, humans who are in management or leadership roles need to be assertive about what is expected of their team. If they cannot lead with confidence, conflict and issues will arise; also the team will not meet its performance goals.

Shari uses workshops with a horse roaming free in an arena. Individuals or teams are then asked to complete a task – a small obstacle course – getting the horse to move through it. The catch is they have to do it together and they also cannot touch the horse. For the teams who are made up of individuals that know their respective roles and work together, the task is often successful. For those who are less sure or who don’t communicate effectively, they may struggle with the task.

Take the Reins!

Whether or not the task is completed successfully, team members are able to reflect and identify their weaknesses. This is key, as they can then address the areas that are causing them to fall short. In Take the Reins, Shari uses examples from her workshops. This is combined with helpful points to guide the reader on how to better engage individuals, project what their goals are and also achieve personal and business goals. The book is an interesting and informative read. It is sure to inspire many to go out there and achieve the goals they so desire in life.

Author – Shari Jaeger
Non Fiction – adults and management
In my library – electronically!
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

The Horse Small Business

August 18, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

So August 2017 in North East Victoria is a time where the government is focusing on small businesses. They want to help equip business owners – or those with a great idea! They are providing workshops, one on one consultations and many resources to help small business owners get established and succeed. Of course, I got to thinking about the horse small business! And in reality, that’s what I am. And perhaps many of you reading this blog.

I make money through online horse courses I have created at Udemy, through horse educational products at TeachersPayTeachers, through horse book sales at Amazon and even through affiliate links with Amazon. I am a sole proprietor who just happens to be able to cash in on her horse addiction! Why couldn’t you do the same?

What's your Horse Small Business Idea? — What’s your Horse Small Business Idea?

A small business is on that employs under 15 people and generates returns under $2,000,000. It could be a sole proprietor – like me, or a partnership, or you employ a handful of people. I have worked in many horse small businesses:

as a stud hand
at a racing stable as a stable hand
as a stable hand at a riding school
instructing at a riding school

There are many small horse businesses out there and no doubt, each one of them wants to be successful. So what makes a business successful?

Generating a product or service that is needed and being able to sell it to those people in need.
Having a consistent cash flow so that expenses can be paid, wages can be delivered and savings can be generated.
Earning a profit.

The Horse Small Business

In line with small business month here in Victoria, Australia, why not think about your potential horse small business idea? Look for resources that are on offer to you from your local, state or national government. What about free online resources (you may want to check out Writing Dressage for some equine business tools!)?

There are many people who are unemployed in Australia. A lot of these have a great business idea, but no education or funds to help them see it to fruition and to become a success. Don’t be one of these statistics! Work hard, educate yourself and hey, even take the leap of starting a business 😉

Need a hand with potential horse business ideas? I have a passion for passive income relating to horses! Invest in the Equine Passive Streams course over at Udemy to find out about 20 different horse small business ideas – some of which will cost you no money to start up.

5 Horse Innovations You may not Know

5 Horse Innovations You may not Know

Profile On: Beth Chamberlin, Zoopharmacognosist at Equinepharmacognosy

Take the Reins by Shari Jaeger Goodwin

Take the Reins!

The Horse Small Business

The Horse Small Business

Equus Education Store at TeachersPayTeachers

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