The Herbal Horse

Did you visit us at Interzoo? If so, click here, please…

Beryl — Thu, 13 May 2010 14:21:50 +0000

If you visited us at Interzoo and liked what you saw, welcome. I suggest you take a look at our products. Don’t forget to scroll down and read the comments (for us, this is the most important part of the story!). After reading a few articles, finding out more about us and signing up for our newsletter, you will defintely want to contact us. And we would love to hear from you.

to rollkur or not to rollkur? Vote here.

Beryl — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:01:32 +0000

http://poll.fm/1uwdj

Kylie visits Coastal Horse Care Unit

Kylie & Gem — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:51:22 +0000

Kylie & friends took time out from riding over the long weekend to help out at the Coastal Horse Unit based in Cato Ridge, Durban. The unit rescues needy ponies and horses and re-homes them to suitable horse-loving families.

Tack Cleaning?

Whilst her brother Ryan made friends with Tod, the orphan foal, Kylie and Chantelle got stuck into cleaning water and feed buckets before getting on with some serious work (yeah right!) of checking and cleaning the tack.

On their next visit Kylie and Michelle were given the chance to work with young ponies in the process of being backed. Kylie began with some Parelli rope work to settle the ponies and got them used to the girls handling them before they put on a saddle and bridle. The girls worked very calmly and quietly which certainly kept the ponies calm.

Backing

After testing how the ponies reacted to having pressure on their backs, Michelle was finally able to carefully mount …this was the first time this pony has had anyone on her back.. she definately wasn’t phased by all the attention but was quite determined not to miss out on her grazing time..so the girls used this to their advantage, giving her some encouragement with a titbit of carrot to get her to take Michelle for a gentle walk around the arena.

The girls can’t wait to get up there again to see how the ponies are coming along and work with them on a regular basis. See you again soon Gill & Candice at CHCU.

See you at Interzoo?

Beryl — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:51:14 +0000

In mid May, The Herbal Horse and Pet is attending the biggest pet product exhibition in Europe: Interzoo. For more details visit www.interzoo.com. If you are going to be there, please do come and visit us!

My Radio Interview

carl — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:38:59 +0000

Hi guys, I managed to link a recording of my radio interview last night to my web site, for those who are interested or missed it. goto www.carldc.net and then Right-click on the SAFM Interview link and Select “Save as”. It’s 5 MB.

Happy Ending

Kylie & Gem — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:36:37 +0000

Gem threw her little frothy as you know at a show 2 weeks ago..she just got herself over excited..just wasn’t settled..and Kylie said she wasn’t listening to her at all so we didn’t jump and took her home. I sneakily put a scoop of calm mix in the morning feed the next time she rode…didn’t tell Kylie..she came out of her lesson saying ..”Gem was so good..what a great lesson” and praised the teacher (I didn’t say a word!) Next day..same thing..one scoop in the morning..Kylie came out of the arena after working gem alone this time…and again ..she commented on how well behaved Gem was. I couldn’t contain myself..so told her what I’d done..she looked at me sideways at first…yeah right she thought..still doubtful! Then on Sunday..she jumped a metre high..she said Gem sailed over it ..was super calm ..and announced she (Kylie that is) is back into doing high jumps..she’s had Gem two years and although Kylie used to jump over a metre in shows she’s NEVER jumped Gem that high, although we know she’ve very capable..as is Kylie. Darn ..should have got her on that stuff sooner eh! Thanks!

A very calm GemOne metre - no problem!

Not a Good Show

Kylie & Gem — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:34:15 +0000

Not a great report for you this time.. think the hols have thrown things out of wack..Kylie didn’t ride on saturday’s show as planned. Gem seemed a bit offish when we arrived at the stables..but she was quiet..not hyped. However, within half an hour of getting to the show she got unsually fidgety and wasn’t listening, and, as Kylie didn’t want to come short (nothing wrong with self preservation) we decided it best to take her home..luckily the event was literally across the road from our yard..maybe just too close for comfort for Gem..maybe she missed having her usual ‘limo’ ride to an event…who knows…horses! Anyway, Kylie jumped her once we were back at home and hosed her down just so she didn’t ‘get away with acting up’. I’ve now convinced Kylie to put Gem on a little calm-mix to see how it affects her performance..kylie’s been avoiding using it as we tried gem on dried camomile previously and she said Gem couln’t jump with that..so now she’s ‘allowing’ me to try the calm-mix..at last! (Not sure whose more stubborn ..the horse or teenage rider sometimes..ha ha!)

Carl & Billy – the Latest

carl — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:31:23 +0000

I completed the 81 km ride at Leandra in the blazing heat, although not nearly in a record time. I rode with Jenni, and a few other friends in a group, but held back even more the last leg of 12 km with Jenni, as my aim was to help her finish, and also I hate riding Billy in such heat, as he bombed out at 60 km before at Randfontein in not even as bad heat, and started showing signs of collick, but this time he was fine and even his heart rate was comfortably below the limits, although he was starting to drink less on the last leg and showed minor signs of dehydration at the last vet check, but his recovery was excellent. Everyone says he’s looking great and can’t believe how he’s shining, thanks to Enduro Mix (And Spurwing), and love and care. The Vets all comment on what wonderful condition he’s in. Billy was pulling like a train the whole first 30 km, settled down in the second leg (Both 34 km) which was the most difficult, and then pulled a bit and couldn’t understand why we were going so slow on the last leg of 12 km. Directly after the ride, Billy even had enough energy to throw a Rotwieler attitude towards he’s neighbouring horses once back in their portable camps. Wait until the weather cools down, then both Billy and I will enjoy, and perform better times on even longer rides – our aim is another 120 km and also our first 100 miler (160 km) to which I’ve been invited and sponsored entry to Platorant’s ride in August.

Tammy at HOY 2010

Beryl — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:23:27 +0000

Horse of the Year 2010 was a great success. We placed 5th in the Thoroughbred show riding class against some very tough competition. My girl was a star and I think she looked great!

Viking shares his magic…

Pier — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:59:48 +0000

I have recently started teaching a few children in the community, focusing on giving young children a holistic and compassionate approach to horses and riding. Viking has been an absolute rock – come howling wind, or blazing sun – each child is always greeted with a lowered head and a gentle eye!

One of his little students has got Downs Syndrome and it really is heart-warming to see how he has grown within himself, since starting to ride Vikes. What once was a shy, introverted and uninvolved child, is now a friendly, excited and outgoing little boy, who continuously tells me how Viking is his, and he’s the best horse in the world!

It really is a gift to be able to share my horse with children and bestow on them some of his magic and sunshine! I am so enjoying watching his little students grow and glow! I think Vikes is too….. x