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  • Dino's Fund - Can Anyone Help?

    • From: debbik
    • Description:
      Dino was taken in by Ride and Rescue Trust in 1994; he had extreme aggressiveness to the point that his owners would have had him put down had we not taken him.   Only three sanctuary volunteers were allowed near him; he was given the time and space to relax and to rebuild his relationship with humans which is when Rosemary stepped in and offered him a permanent home to be cared for by her and her family ...Dino has been with Rosemary and her family for the last fifteen years.
      "Our lovely Dino has had some problems since April with his right eye, starting off with an ulcer that wouldn't heal and then a lump in his eye. Our Vet was brilliant and tried lots of things to heal his eye but nothing worked and we felt he had been through a lot during this time so in August we all decided it would be better for Dino if the vet removed the eye. Bless him, he was so good during the operation which they did under local anaesthetic at their hospital and we collected him the same day and brought him home. He was so happy to see us and come home. He is doing very well and has adapted and seems a lot happier now the source of pain and discomfort has been removed.
      Although the Vet's invoice is hefty, we wanted to do our best for him to save his eye as his quality of life is still very good. He still thinks he's a teenager at times, playing with his new foal friend. We have him insured but as he is veteran they only pay out for injury or accident, which the vet claimed was the initial cause of the ulcer, but the insurance only paid out £2000 and the invoices amount to over £4000.
      Dino had a cushing's test done while he was being treated for his eye as they suspected he may have it as he has some early signs and thought it might be making the healing process take longer. He has it and is now on medication but only a quarter of a pill so that's not too expensive and already his coat is looking better. He also had a bad tummy and not well 3 weeks ago, again vet came etc and found he had a bacterial bug which he most probably picked up because his immune system is low due to all that's happened to him recently. Poor Dino, his tum is much better now as he then had more antibiotics, pain killers and a lovely tube of pro-biotic paste to improve his gut - yummy. Then when the vet came for that he checked his scar on his eye and found a small hole that hadn't healed properly as the skin had healed back on itself and not together so he then had to do little operation to trim the skin and put 3 more stitches in it and of course more antibiotics, etc. We feel really bad for him that he's gone through so much but now we're thinking it was just a blip and he's much improved now. I suppose during the 15 years we've had him, he's not had much wrong with him - he's very spoilt and has had the best of everything as you can imagine. Everyone at the stables love him too and spoil him. He hasn't lost his charm either as the mares still whinny after him but we think its because they think he's winking at them!
      Dino had his 3 stitches out yesterday from his recent operation on his eye lid to close the hole. He was very brave and seems very happy. He occasionally jumps when he suddenly sees something he's not expecting, or sometimes brushes against something but he is coping very well. Hopefully he will lots more years left in him."
      One of our supporters "Becky" baked cakes for a cake stall and raised £154.00; HSBC have kindly matched her donation; Rosemary held a car boot sale of items around her home she didn't want and raised £84.00.  As you can see, there is still a long way to go to raise the outstanding veterinary bill. Dino was taken in by Ride and Rescue Trust in 1993 and has been cared for by Rosemary and her family since 1994.
       
      If there are any Voices for Horses readers that fund raise; please would you consider making a donation to Dino's Fund - every penny helps and we are a Registered Charity. Please feel free to contact me, Debbie,  on rideandrescue@aol.com if you have any questions or would like to see further photos.  Dino is recovering very well indeed and totally deserved the chance to have back his quality of life - sometimes things cost a little more than we anticipate; Rosemary has asked Ride and Rescue to help financially ... can anyone help us ??
       
       
       
       
       
    • Blog post
    • 5 days ago
    • Views: 15

  • Amimals in War Remembrance Gat

  • Protect vulnerable horses. Ple

    • From: voicesforhorses
    • Description:

      Protect vulnerable horses. Please Act NOW and you WILL make a difference!

      World Horse Welfare's Make A Noise campaign, to end the long-distance transportation of  100,000 horses sent  to slaughter annually has entered a critical stage, with a Written Declaration  (54/2009)  needing urgent MEP signatures.

      At least half of all MEPs must sign this Declaration before 21st January 2010.
      If this is achieved, then the campaign will be a step closer to ending these journeys for good!

       It is quick and easy to help. For more information and to find out how -  please go to:
      http://www.voicesforhorses.co.uk/news/read_1086_Protect-vulnerable-horses.-Act-NOW-and-you-WILL-make-a-difference%21-.html

       ***************Please pass this information on to friends and colleagues****************************** 

    • Blog post
    • 4 weeks ago
    • Views: 12

  • BEAT THIS IF U CAN

    • From: onthewedgeseat
    • Description:

      it's that flintoff again..takes me ten minutes to walk the ponies to our winter turnout paddock..it took me fifty mins yesterday !!! why ? well,nearly every vehicle that passes us seems to have to stop to speak to freddy..AND one or two have in car carrots for him..sooo,as soon as the car window opens ,in goes his head.that's ok , but some poor van driver stopped to ask directions,opened his window and was met by one take over bid by one freddy flintoff.poor man couldn't extricate himself quick enough..last seen breaking the speed limit uphill and as far away from the village as his tyres would take him.

      BUT THIS TAKES THE BISCUIT..one elderly couple can see me walking up the hill out of the village,and we are met at their gateway with freddy's treat for the day..apple ? carrot ..well,not quite right..one apple ,peeled , cored , sliced alongside a carrot prepared the same way..oh ,that's not all.it is served up on a bone china plate >>>> oh flintoff,what are you like....Undecided

    • Blog post
    • 4 weeks ago
    • Views: 26

  • The boys been unwell!!!

    • From: tina123g
    • Description:

      Well after to chrity rides alfie seemed to be off colour. He came in from the field last weekend sweated up! the others were fine and no sign of being hot. His pulse was slightly up and his breathing was slighlty nasally with flared nostrils. by tueasday i rode but within 10-15 min of walk and trot he was again soaked in sweat ven from hos face. strangley no other signs to speak of.

      he has now been rested for the rest of the week and returned t work today. Has anyone else had anything similar?? Alf is normally a very healthy, hairy cob type !!

    • Blog post
    • 1 month ago
    • Views: 18
    • Not yet rated

  • blackberry-flintoff and hormon

    • From: onthewedgeseat
    • Description:

      well,since buster left us,lluest blackberry has been a bit on the down side..well that was until the likes of freddy flintoff hit the scene.they are stabled alongside one another.full partitions,can't see one another from over the doors ..so what's the problem ?

      well ,it's this spider see..been living in the two boxes some seven years now with his ever growing family..large chap he is,not a sight for the faint hearted i can tell you.well he has this miniscule crack where the partition meets the outside wall..been using it all this time..well fred and blackberry..believe it or not..chat through it..can't for the life of me see how or even how they found it,but they did.

      well the 'chatting is getting decidedly loud..at ALL times of the day and night.decided to swap freddy with rocky,rocks doesn't mind where his bedroom is as long as there is food in it.job done,freddy staring at rocky all day with looks that frightened even me and really wasn't haven't this at all.back to the drawing board and back to their own bedrooms,much to the delight of blackberry who has hormones of the worst sort,to say she is corrupting the little flintoff is an understatement..freddy will be gelded but not quite yet so whatever shall we do ?..good old polyfiller,sorry mr  spider...Laughing

      WELL,IT'S GONE !! THE POLYFILLA THAT IS..WHETHER THAT WAS SPIDER AND FAM .COM OR FLINTOFF & BLACKBERRY.CO.WALES I DON'T KNOW BUT GONE IT HAS.....ANY SUGGESTIONS FOLKS ?...Undecided

      CRACKED IT....MOVED HIS HAYRACK...PHEW..PEACE AND QUIET....Laughing

    • Blog post
    • 2 months ago
    • Views: 51
    • Not yet rated

  • WIN WIN WIN Equestrain Vision

    • From: voicesforhorses
    • Description:

      WIN WIN WIN Equestrain Vision DVD'sEnjoying cross country with Mary King

      Equestrian Vision are generously giving away one of their fantastic  DVD's A MONTH!  to Voices for Horses members.

      All you have to do is upload at least one fab equine related photograph or video in the Voices for Horses Community section OR email a photograph to me emma@voicesforhorses.co.uk   for the VFH home page and your name will be entered into our monthly draw. See below for draw details.

      This month (September) Equestrian Vision would like to give 1 lucky Voices for Horses winner a copy of the following  DVD:

      Enjoying Cross Country with Mary King
      World class, Olympic event rider, Mary King spends the day at Bicton Arena in Devon where she explains, demonstrates and passes on her successful techniques and useful tips. 

      Mary's positive riding has been a feature of international cross country riding for many years and this DVD  focuses on positive thinking. 

      For More informatin on how to win please use this link:
      http://www.voicesforhorses.co.uk/news/read_1040_WIN-WIN-WIN-Equestrain-Vision-DVD%27s.html

      		 

    • Blog post
    • 2 months ago
    • Views: 30
    • Not yet rated

  • snippets from a carriage drivi

    • From: onthewedgeseat
    • Description:

      didn't know where to post this but thought we might all do with a chuckle...

      driving shetties along the road  in tandem with my 9 year old grandson alongside..

      " do you enjoy driving tandem nanna ? " he said,

      " yes  i do " i told him ," it gives me a real buzz"

      "really nanna " he replied.." i didn't know anyone your age could

      get a buzz from anything "...Surprised

      THERE'S MORE !! ..6 year old watching the adults adoration of..well ...guess who ?..yes,the flintoff , wanting to be 'part of the gang' asks whether he is a gelding or has he still got his essentricals !!!!!!..Embarassed

    • Blog post
    • 2 months ago
    • Views: 55
    • Not yet rated

  • HORSES ON LOAN 'CHECKERS'?

    • From: onthewedgeseat
    • Description:

      i find it so distressing as i'm sure you all do,to read of the horses/ponies that go missing whilst on loan..

      i was wondering whether any voluntary system can be put in place to have regular checks made on these horses

      on behalf of the owners.i have only loaned a horse once to two different people .but the loan homes were

      near to where we lived and i checked on a weekly basis to make sure jack was ok.i realize that most horses

      go on  loan away from owners and this is a dreadful worry.i wondered whether it was a possibility to form some

      sort of voluntary loan checkers to help horse owners to keep a check on their horses? i am one of VFH'S area

      reps.and would be pleased to keep an eye on any equines loaned in my area...Laughing

    • Blog post
    • 2 months ago
    • Views: 63

  • berry,botts and the warble fly

    • From: onthewedgeseat
    • Description:

      it seems to be that time again..ponies covered in bott fly eggs ( is that one t or two ? ..well whatever )

      the boys come in each day covered in tiny yellow eggs and there i sit on my stool,picking them off.i went into the chemist as i was told a human de-lice comb removes them ,but as everyone in the shop stepped sideways as i asked for one,i abandoned that idea so picking it is..then there is the dreaded warble fly,hovering menacingly at speed no matter how fast the ponies gallop to free themselves of this little horror.ah , but not blackberry,clever little soul is blackberry.

      i was 'poo picking' the paddock when she trotted across and lay down about ten feet from me.i watched as she rolled gently over ,lay there,got up,went down again and did the same the other side..oh colic i thought..no,there it was ,the dreaded bott fly hovering around her ..panic ?.. no,not our blackberry,she just stayed there,little legs tucked underneath her well away from the little hovering devil.over i went,slapped my hands across the fly,very dead was it..up she got ,looked at me as if to say ..you took your time..and off she went back to the important business of filling her face.

      never have i seen anything like that,such intelligence,what a little treasure is lluest blackberry.how sad her previous owners abused her so,well it is their loss and our gain...Smile

    • Blog post
    • 3 months ago
    • Views: 86
    • Not yet rated

  • Information wanted.

    • From: cumbriamaakasi
    • Description:

      HARRY (HARLEQIN HOUDINI).

      Harry is a skewbald tobiano, white mane, black tail and black nearside hock. He has a small patch of excema on each front leg. His chest is very wide and he is lightly feathered. Harry is registered with CHAPS and is approx 12yrs old.

      He was sold to a dealer in Wrexham last spring (2008) when I was very unwell. I have regretted it bitterly because I miss him dreadfully and would love to buy him back, now that I am well again. If this is not possible, then I would love to hear any news about him, good or bad.

      I have three other horses at home. Harry was sold because he was the most callenging of my horse family. He can lose his head when being ridden for no apparent reason and will buck violently. He is dangerous to ride, and this was emphasised but I was reassured that he would not be sold on as the dealer wanted him for himself. Harry is no longer in my area but I was told that he may be in the Leominster area. PLEASE HELP. MANY THANKS for taking the time to read my plea!

    • Blog post
    • 3 months ago
    • Views: 66
    • Not yet rated

  • the frights of freddy flintoff

    • From: onthewedgeseat
    • Description:

      Laughingphoto on it's way..well ,here we are,hardoneby and me.on the dole...all the boys have new shoes etc,blackberry beautifully manicured too ..me ? well,my wellies sure do let in the wet ,and as for my yard boots,well,they have worn away so badly my big toe sticks out of the left one..never mind,it brings relief to my bunyan !!!

      well.i called at a local stud to ask if the driving club could use their large carpark to meet in for a local drive..bad move,have a look at this says my friend,passported,yearling colt,late foal,needs a home.NO i said quite clearly ..too late,into the sand school comes one,totally mad,unmanageable black welsh mountain colt with an action to die for..hey look at me he said,i'm looking for a home..no ,a sucker..

      well this sucker said she would have him for the summer to handle him and give him some tlc..oooh dear,bad move.named him after my favourite cricketer says the lady of the house,freddy flintoff..well what was i supposed to say i told my poor hubby..i come from one of englands most famous cricketing families..it was fate was it not ?

      well,HE duly arrived and turned life and the yard upsidedown..his whole life is one big fright even though it isn't if you see what i mean..it's all in his mind,in three weeks he happily walks down the road and stands for a car to pass..no probs..ah..but don't touch me.oh,we are to have such fun,freddy and me..new wellies ? well,they'll have to wait...

    • Blog post
    • 4 months ago
    • Views: 114

  • ROCKY RETIRES

    • From: onthewedgeseat
    • Description:

      well,ten years ago,new years eve it was,rocky of crafton ambled on to my trailer and at the grand old age of six months said,'well i've been there and done this ,no probs'. and that is what life has been like with this wonderful shetland pony..'you want me to do that ? well of course i will'.we bought rocks  to have fun with ,show in the breed classes ( we knew nothing about shetties by the way ) and to eventually drive..i might add we didn't know much about that either.well this big shaggy colt foal soon captured the hearts of everyone in the village and surrounding area.we take our foals out for long walks,usually with the dogs and it gets them used to the world at large..mad dogs shut in gardens barking 24/7...lots of those around poor things...cattle,tractors standing still while we catch up on the latest village gossip.all educational in preparation for their future.walking through the river,all sorts of fun things.

      we decided to take rocky to the shetland group show where ,much to the astonishment of this his owner, he won the yearling colt class,then on to another in may where he won and was reserve junior champion..proceedings were halted by  a diagnosis of breast cancer...me ,not him...and i remember saying to my consultant that i had a bolshy shetland colt to show at the royal welsh in six weeks !!!!! he just smiled at me..rocky - and buster- were the thoughts in my mind to get well and sure enough minus more of my person ( i already lost some of my stomach the year before ,same reason - i left home with rocky at 4.30am to go to the royal welsh show.a huge class later ,we emerged with the second prize,and from then on rocks picked up many firsts and championships.

      at four years we decided to have him gelded,local breeders nearly lynched me,but why keep a stallion if he is not going to stand at stud or have mares ? and why breed anymore,the market was becoming flooded and we all know the results of that..so gelded he was and left to get over it for the summer.winter 2004 ,out came the harness etc and we made a start,as i said at the start ,rocks has been there and done all that so he was driving very quickly.first show arrived in 2005 and we had a fabulous time,there was a road drive which he so enjoyed,and well ,as most of you know ,he never looked back.he is a breed champion,a private driving champion .one driving judge said she had never had such an exceptional example of the breed driving in a class before,but most of all,he is a great teddybear of a pony who i love so much it actually hurts.well,he is retired from the shows this year ,just one to go to with his brother roger in tandem,and then it's just me ,rocky and the dogs ambling along the welsh country lanes,stopping to say hello to anyone and everyone who wants to pat him.

      thank you rocky,you're one of those in a lifetime can't thank you enough for having me...P  Kiss

      update...rocks signed off today with a 1st and champion..well done little man..thank you..Wink

    • Blog post
    • 4 months ago
    • Views: 116
    • Not yet rated

  • VET Net, the Adventurists and

  • World's largest Outlaw Equine

    • From: voicesforhorses
    • Description:

      This weeks feature  - Breaking News  & Petition!
      This weeks feature  was held up for a few days so we could break a story with our friends in America.  Please read about the World's largest Outlaw Equine  Endurance Race organized by a UK adventure company and  planned for this summer.   
      Read more and sign the petition to stop the race HERE

    • Blog post
    • 5 months ago
    • Views: 127
    • Not yet rated

  • Damn irresponsible!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • From: kim22
    • Description:

      I'm having trouble with people shutting gates at the yard!!!  Cassie is in a field which allows access to another field, as you go in the gate i have to put up electric fencing to create a track around the side of the field up to the next field, which is fine it only takes a little of her field away and she doesn't need it all anyway!!  The gate to the other field is and electric tape one which if not closed cuts the power to Cassies fence.  Anyway to get to Cassies field you go down the track along side the school at the bottom is a gate, then you go across that field to the gate to Cassies then you have the electric fence.  Well most mornings i go down and find the two main gates open and the power to her fence disconnected, i have had a few words with the person who leaves them open and explained that she's an excape artist and that she's on restricted grazing which if she got out into the other fields which are at least a foot deep in grass, then she could get allsorts of problems occur, not only that she could get hurt!!!  My friend who works at the yard found her half way under the tape the other morning and shooed her back, put the power on and shut the gate.  It carried on so i had a word with the yard owner saying i didn't want to cause trouble and they know that i wouldn't say anything unless i was worried or it was a real problem. Well she's talked to the person concerned and it's still happening!!  I don't want to blow a fuse at this person so i've started looking for somewhere else for Cassie to live which is wrong as at the moment i can see her from my house i can get to her in 2 mins in case of an emergency!! I know that if i move her i will stress about whether she's ok, so is it better to risk her being there with open gates or move her further away and stress!!!!!!!!  Why can't things be simple?!  Is it really so hard to shut a gate or am i'm just being picky???!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Blog post
    • 5 months ago
    • Views: 114
    • Not yet rated

  • LITTLE SHAGGY THINGS

    • From: onthewedgeseat
    • Description:

      It was the autumn of 1998,I stood looking in horror at a short dark bay shetland foal as, with ears flat to his head,he cavorted around the field in hot pursuit of a terrified brood mare." how old is he ? " I asked his amused breeder." four months " she replied. Well,this is the one my ten year old had chosen out of some thirty shetland foals that we had viewed,so this is the one we bought...

      Pony was duly weaned  and the great day arrived when we were to collect him.I had never had anything to do with shetland ponies other than a brief spell back in the sixties,and with my memories of this foal still fresh in my mind,and child not being terribly horsey,I was not really looking forward to having this little fellow in the yard.He travelled home like a seasoned campaigner and led into the stable yard as good as gold  giving my welsh cob the biggest scare of his life not knowing quite what "it" was walking past his door.

      In spite of being able to see all the other ponies in the yard,said shettie decided once the door was shut,to climb the wall !!! With a look of absolute horror on his face that something so small could cause so much disruption,all hubby could say was had I sorted his insurance,I hadn't so I hot footed it back to the house to get it done.

      Within a couple of days,shettie had settled in well,basically,he loved his stomach so it was pretty easy to get him around to my way of thinking.After a couple of weeks we took him to a foal show where he collected two third place rosettes despite hind feet scoring a direct hit  on the judge !! we had a fab time and shettie was obviously just what child needed.The winter came and went and we went to the local show which to my horror was indoors.Great fun as far as he was concerned..was I really gelded last year ?I don't remember.

      By now we were becoming quite addicted to shetlands,they were fun.We took on an elderly shetland mare who taught our grandaughter all the thrills and spills of owning a pony including refusing to cross the river when it was on the fast size leaving her small jockey to swim for it..child was not amused.By now hubby too was getting rather fond of these little ponies,titbits are banned in our yard but I caught him feeding the old mare with a packet of crisps the other evening !!

      These wonderful ponies are giving one little girl ( and one granny ) a lot of love and fun and pleasure.Well,enter the stage,one shetland colt foal Rocky,watch this space...     Wink                    

    • Blog post
    • 5 months ago
    • Views: 126

  • Horse Thieves in Wilshire!!

    • From: kim22
    • Description:

      Just a warning to anyone on the site who lives in Wiltshire, there are thieves about.  They attempted to take two horses from Stanton St Bernard and 2 from Honeystreet.  These villages are about 3 miles from where we are.  There is also a stolen landrover which has been seen lurking about in gateways of farms and yards which seems a little suspicious!!!!  So just be on your guard!

      Kim x x

    • Blog post
    • 6 months ago
    • Views: 98
    • Not yet rated

  • Beware of some 'rescue centres

    • From: voicesforhorses
    • Description:

      The following information has been sent into us.......

      Bank End Equine Rescue is a Not For Profit organisation dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of equines in need. We are currently undergoing the registration to become a registered Charity.

      It has come to our attention that a lot of forums and individuals have set themselves up as "rescue" centres, offering to take in unwanted horses and ponies.
       
      PLEASE never hand over your animals to any person who cannot provide you with testimonials from past owners.  An awful lot of these animals, once out of the owners care are being sold on, not rehomed under contract.
       
      If any one genuinely cannot keep their horse or pony please contact either ourselves or another reputable rescue centre.

      www.bankendequinerescue.com
      01757 618720 or 07515 951289

    • Blog post
    • 6 months ago
    • Views: 136
    • Not yet rated

  • Loving police horses retire to

    • From: kim22
    • Description:

      Thought i'd put this on here, it's good to read a nice story with a happy end!!!!

      Two inseparable horses are set to retire together after spending a total of 30 years in the police force. Skip related content

      Vincent, 22, and Ursula, 21, have built a bond over the past 18 months, often playing together in the field at the Met's stables in Surrey.

      Not wanting to separate the two, staff have arranged for the retiring duo to be sent to the same farm in East Sussex.

      This was a special exception as horses are rarely retired to one location.

      Inspector Alan Hiscox, chief instructor at the Metropolitan Police's Mounted Branch Training Establishment in East Molesey, said: "Vincent and Ursula have served in the Metropolitan Police for over 30 years in total - that's a very long time in horse years.

      "They have contributed to every aspect of policing in the Mounted Branch, from frontline patrols and ceremonial duties, right through to training our younger horses and new officers.

      "I have had the honour of riding both Vincent and Ursula, they are very special horses.

      "It has been very heartening to see them grow close and they deserve to enjoy many long and happy years of retirement."

      Vincent and Ursula have both had illustrious careers - between them they have served at football matches at Wembley and also at the Queen's Birthday Parade. Recently they helped train new mounted officers and young horses.

      The couple will now be ridden occasionally, go for walks and looked after in their deserved retirement.

    • Blog post
    • 6 months ago
    • Views: 108
    • Not yet rated
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