I have been switching horse books with a friend at church over the past few months and she has introduced me to the delightful series that is Heartland. Based around the story of a young girl and her older sister who run a horse haven of sorts that was set up by their mother, the book advocates natural therapies for horses, the Monty Roberts ‘Join Up’ method and TTouch.

Not being familiar with the latter of the three, I thought it’d be worth looking into this as I’d seen the benefits of the other two through friends and their horses.

TTouch “…is a method based on circular movements of the fingers and hands all over the body… is to activate the function of the cells and awaken cellular intelligence – a little like ‘turning on the electric lights of the body’…using a combination of specific touches, lifts, and movement exercises, TTouch helps to release tension and increase body awareness.”

Perhaps you’re already familiar with this method or you’re considering the possibility of testing it out on your horse but don’t know how it works – there are practitioners around the world that are now using and advocating this method to work with horses in different areas. It is possible to become trained in this area and provide a service. Take a look at http://www.ttouch.com/horsePrac.shtml.

http://www.ttouch.com/whyTTEAM.shtml – TTouch for the horse.

http://www.ttouch.com/productsBooks.shtml#horses – Five books listed in regards to TTouch and horses.
http://alove4horses.com/blog/teach-through-touch/ – Teach Your Horse With a Gentle Touch.

“Horse Terminology… Pony Type = Small and Hairy.”

tag: TTouch, Monty Roberts, training, self education, horse books, join up, equine massage

I had this notice left in my pigeon hole at work yesterday and am rather annoyed to think that I won’t be able to attend. However, I believe it could be of interest to others!

The Pony Club Association of Victoria State Workshop is covering sessions on Show Jumping Course Design, Show Jumping Instruction, Cross Country Course Build, Cross Country Instruction, Cross Country Jump Judge, Inclusive Coaching for D&D, Club Official, Conflict Resolution, Comfort and Safety, Lunging and State Panel.

For free for all:
– Pony Club Instructors
– DCs
– Officials
– Parents Riders
– Other interested people from around Victoria

If you fall into any of these categories and are available for the date of March 29th from 9.30am (Registration time) to 4pm, visit Wandin Park, 305 Victoria Road, Wandin (Melbways ref 119 G7). Interest can be registered with Mrs Linda Smith – l.smithconvey@bigpond.com.

If you can’t make this particular event but have an interest in such topics, keep an eye on the Pony Club Website in your particular state (http://www.ponyclubaustralia.com.au/States.htm) for future possibilities.

“Horse terminology… Easy to Catch = Very Old.”

tag: horseriding, course design, training, australia, NCAS, coaching, pony club, instructing, eventing, career

There are many different types of massage available to the equine owner these days and I believe it’s well worth anyone’s while to consider learning a few techniques that could make your horse more comfortable – before work and after. While working on thoroughbred studs we’ve had someone out to see to fillies that haven’t been tracking up properly, to spellers that have obviously pulled something while cavorting in the paddock and to stallions that have come up sore without a specific conclusion why.

Each has been seen to and after chiropractic work, acupuncture and or massage the problem has been assessed and fixed. This was important for a speller so that they could go back into racing, vital for one of our stallions who was having trouble putting pressure on his back legs and therefore potentially out for the season and important for other fillies that were to be sold at yearling sales.

I had a friend who was doing a massage course via correspondence a couple of years ago and although most was theory based (a lot to do with the muscular-skeletal system of the horse) it worked well for her being employed at a horse stud as she was able to practice on many different equines and witness the effects of certain pressure points and massage techniques.

If you’re curious about equine massage, make sure you have access to horses that you can practice on – your own, friends ponies or work related horses to get a general idea of how horses respond to massage and of course just get in practice. Something else that’ll make the study easier is getting yourself familiar with the technical names of bones and muscles, ie – the carpus rather than the knee.

Take a look at http://www.kersur.net/~santa/skeletalsystem.html or Wikepedia’s page on the Skeletal System of the horse at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_system_of_the_horse.

Equine Massage Sites:
http://www.equinemmt.com/ – courses offered.
http://www.pambryan.co.uk/ – equine sports massage therapist
http://www.horsedirectory.com.au/vic/health_service/masseurs/index.html – equine massage/masseurs

Courses are offered for the beginner/an owner wishing to know the basics and further study is available for someone wanting to perhaps turn equine massage into a career, providing a service for others at a cost.

“Horse terminology… Needs Experienced Rider = Potentially Lethal”

tag: equine massage, course, training, education

So I’m thinking about going back into studying – part time – in 2009. A lot of friends are looking in vet/equine nursing at the moment and I know once I move to Wangaratta that there is a TAFE nearby that’ll facilitate doing this course. Vet nursing was appealing but as far as I can see, you need to be placed in a Vet practice to be able to fulfill the requirements of the course.

Not exactly an option for me at this point in time and it seems sorta like a catch 22 – do the course to get employed; need to be employed to be accepted into the course.

Now as someone who is more partial to just learning the equine related bits – and purely for my own want to learn more rather than gain employment in this field – the Certificate III in Equine Nursing looks very appealing. You can be employed on a stud and do the course part time. Stud work is definitely something I envisage going back to in 12 months time, so this seems perfect.

If you’re considering Vet Nursing and have a passion for horses, consider whether Equine Nursing is the way to go or if you want to cover a broader range of animals and then specialise.

“This course is for people who want to work in a specialist equine facility as a competent equine nurse. You will learn about horse health, anatomy and physiology, an introduction to horse breeding, foal care and nursing, equine medical and surgical nursing, equine clinical pathology, equine radiographic and anaesthetic nursing.”

Entry requirements – year 12; related occupations – veterinary nurse.
http://www.hunter.tafensw.edu.au/

Cert. III GOTAFE
http://www.gotafe.vic.edu.au/courses/course_info.cfm?CID=91165NSW

Entry Requirements – Applicants should be working in the thoroughbred industry, or a veterinary practice specialising in equine services. Veterinary Nurses working in general practices may also apply, and may be required to undertake a suitable equine related practical placement.
18 months, part time.

Veterinary Nursing
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile169/ – questions regarding work conditions, qualifications needed, expected wage and more.

Equine Nursing Guide – http://www.beva.org.uk/taxonomy/term/102

Veterinary Nurse Occupation Information – http://www.myfuture.edu.au/services/default.asp?FunctionID=5050&ASCO=639211A

“The horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle.”

tag: certificate III, TAFE, equine nursing, vet nursing, self education, course, australia, united kingdom