The Stable Manager

Tuesday thought

I don't use supplements apart from general vitamins and minerals, and occasionally milk thistle. Any other drugs I obtain from my vet, including sedation for clipping or whatever. If I suspect my horses are suffering from some ailment my first call port of call is the vet, so I know that any drugs they prescribe don't interact adversely, they are suitable (obviously) and effective.
I also ask my farrier at shoeing time about foot/horn quality. I ring the vet to find out what is the best worming program this year, and for my horses. So I feed the simplest, effective diet for my horses which are big warmbloods

What I DON'T do is spend a fortune on untested supplements or ridiculous treatments. Basically if it doesn't pass the 'science' test then I won't be using it so I won't be using salt therapy, vibrating platforms or small static magnets. And I definitely won't be asking Facebook.

I just don't have the time or money to waste and it really annoys me that some less than scrupulous companies and individuals take advantage.

Apologies for the lack of update but whilst I have been receiving treatment things have been a little up and down. Whilst I haven't suffered, luckily, from any loss of cognitive function my speech is sometimes too slow for it to be immediately relevant in instructing anyone.

I have been following several things with interest. BS whip rule changes, for example. In fact the whip rules seem to me to be clear, easy to interpret and monitor and most importantly give us equestrians the opportunity to show to the rest of the social media world that we really are ready to put our horses welfare first, and notice when others see things differently to us.

I had heard several responses to these rule changes where people have dismissed them because 'I'm only going to compete unaffiliated'. This seems to be the nub of the issue. We all know that small local unaffiliated competitions offer opportunities for low key, beginner competitions but it's a brave person who calls out the overuse of a whips, the rider too big for the horse, or poor behaviour in the warm up, or anywhere on the showground, and these competitions are where these things are most common precisely because inexperienced (i hope) people forget the poor impression they give. We all need to develop a conscience and to self monitor.

So I have decided that for this year whilst I don't have real New Years resolutions I will be doing my best to uphold horse welfare, direct riders to the rules and help to improve our SLO and look after the horses. And I don't have time left so expect a direct approach!

No more than 3 contacts with a whip in the arena, no displays of anger or frustration. It will be interesting to see how the BD and BE rules change too, not to mention PC and RC.

It occurs to me that I haven't done much of an update on here but obviously since the diagnosis of a brain tumour I haven't done any coaching, not least because I can't drive. I'm incredibly lucky to have wonderful friends who help me 'do the horses' and get my daily fix, and keep physically as active as I can.

I couldn't recommend Horseworx - Rachel Thomas, freelance groom more highly, and she's an amazing support too.

The downside of being sidelined is I'm watching a load of facebookery. At its best it is helping me connect with friends all over the world, keeping me up to date with GB eventing and rowing Olympic squads for which I'm grateful. HOWEVER

It's also providing me with some gentle exercise in the form of reactions to, quite honestly, some of the dumbest posts. Partly because there are some horrendous trolls out there - the ones who witter on about horse cruelty without first considering the effect on actual humans. The humans have to be in good shape physical, emotional and financial, in order to best look after the animals so let's look after them first eh!

So let's not be promoting inconsequential purchases of 'fashionable' saddlecloths/tack or gadgets. Spend your time gaining knowledge. If your horse is underperforming or misbehaving consider one of two professionals - YOUR VET, or YOUR COACH/INSTRUCTOR in the first place. I recommend Jamie Wright Equestrian , or Shelley Moores.
And use your vet, build the relationship so you know what normal for your horse is and, on their recommendation go to physios, the back man, the dreaded supplements and so on. If you want to follow for some good advice South Coast Equine Vets/Natalie McGoldrick Equine .

For now know I'm missing coaching and teaching hugely, so go out there and do your best, no regrets, because you never know when it is going to be taken away from you.

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