Pony mad, Horse Mad

Horse of the Year Show - 7th-11th October 2009

2009-10-03T06:02:00.001-07:00

The Horse of the Year Show is rapidly approaching...

Date: 7th-11th October 2009

Where: Birmingham's NEC

With show jumping, showing, displays & entertainment, there's plenty to watch at this great Show, surely one of the highlights of the equine calendar. The Pony Club Mounted Games are always great fun to watch, as is the scurry racing, where pairs of ponies race around an obstacle course, aiming to be the fastest & most accurate. Then there's the amazing courage of stuntmen Daniel Naprous's team - he and his wonderful horses will be performing again at the show this year.

On the showjumping side, there's the Puissance (that's the one with the high wall), the Junior Show Jumper of the Year, the Horse & Hound Foxhunter Championship National Final & the Horse of the Year Show Leading Show Jumper of the Year. Showing classes take place too.

Get an idea of what's happening when with the Horse of the Year Show timetable - and also you'll find plenty of opportunity to get shopping in the Retail Village - practically everything horse & pony lovers could want!

Get more info on the Horse of the Year Show including visitor information & how to get there on its informative & helpful site. Buy tickets here

World Animal Day - what will you pledge?

2009-10-02T00:58:00.000-07:00

The 4th October is a special date around the world, when animal lovers have the chance to unite on-line and pledge to make a difference to help animals. It's World Animal Day

World Animal Day began in 1931 in Italy, where a convention of ecologists meeting wanted to highlight the plight of endangered species. Today, it encompasses all forms of animal life - including horses, ponies, donkeys & mules. The 4th October was selected as World Animal Day because the 4th is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi - and he is the patron saint of animals.

World Animal Day has 4 aims...

To celebrate animal life in all its forms
To celebrate humankind’s relationship with the animal kingdom
To acknowledge the diverse roles that animals play in our lives – from being our companions, supporting and helping us, to bringing a sense of wonder into our lives
To acknowledge and be thankful for the way in which animals enrich our lives~

There are many ways you can get involved, one of them being to make a pledge to make a difference. Thus far, people from all over the world have pledged - Peru, India, Pakistan, France, Italy, the UK, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Denmark, to name but a few.

This is a great opportunity for each of us to focus on ways in which we can help the animal kingdom - e.g. to help horses, donkeys & mules - and to put those ideas of ways to help into action.

Please make a pledge.

If you're a horse lover, is there something you would be willing to do to help horses, ponies, donkeys or mules? Then click here to join in with other animal lovers worldwide & make your pledge!

Join the Brooke's Remember the Horse Heroes campaign

2009-09-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

If you've ever worked on a hot day and complained about it, then spare a thougth for the millions of horses, donkeys & mules who are working in temperatures of up to 50 degrees with little or no shade, water or feed for 12 hours at a time. (Photos on this particular blog entry courtesy of the Brooke)

The Brooke strives to educate owners to care for such animals - last year, it cared for 650,000 horses, donkeys & mules around the world.

Many animals work very hard for people around the world, often in terrible conditions - and often it is the horses, donkeys & mules who enable people to scratch out a living for themselves and their families.

On World Animal Day on 4th October, the Brooke will remember and honour the Horse Heroes - the horses, donkeys and mules working in. The charity is to recognise their contribution through their "Remember the Horse Heroes" campaign.

Supporters of the Brooke's work are invited to show that they remember these often forgotten heroic animals by sending in their messages of support and remembrance.

On World Animal Day, the charity will share these messages at the Animals in War Memorial, London.

Please, horse lovers, donkey lovers & mule lovers, join the Brooke in remembering the heroic efforts these animals make on behalf of people around the world. Help the Brooke create a special tribute for these animals

Please take this opportunity to remember the brave Horse Heroes of past wars and honour today's hardworking Horse Heroes - doing difficult jobs often in terrific heat, without water, shade or rest.

Click here to join the campaign & honour these Heroes

Riding holidays worldwide

2009-09-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

Do you want to head off on horse holidays & enjoy equine adventures? Find out about Dream Horse Riding Holidays with Unicorn Trails - sign up to receive their FREE e-newsletter!

Holidays worldwide, & include a choice of riding holidays, ranch holidays, beach riding, working on cattle ranches, & safari on horse back.

Current favourites include a week in Transylvania riding Lipizzaner horses, a challenging riding holiday in Utah on quality quarter horses, & a the Mount Kilimanjaro Trail for experienced riders. However, if your partner doesn't ride, fear not! Choose a holiday with activities for them to do, as well.

Unicorn Trails has a wide choice of quality riding holidays, from the beginner or novice to the experienced rider, so don't delay - sign up for their newsletter on worldwide riding holidays today There's lots of equine adventures for everyone.

I am your horse

2009-09-25T22:25:00.000-07:00

Here's a lovely poem about horses

When you are tense, let me teach you to relax.
When you are short tempered, let me teach you to be patient.
When you are short sighted, let me teach you to see.
When you are quick to react, let me teach you to be thoughtful.
When you are angry, let me teach you to be serene.
When you feel superior, let me teach you to be respectful.
When you are self-absorbed, let me teach you to think of greater things.
When you are arrogant, let me teach you humility.
When you are lonely, let me be your companion.
When you are tired, let me carry the load.
When you need to learn, let me teach you.
After all, I am your horse

And now, a slightly different version by a lady (I think) called Mary Green...

When you are tense, let me teach you that there are dragons in the forest and we need to leave NOW!
When you are short tempered, let me teach you how to slog around the field for an hour before you can catch me.
When you are short sighted, let me teach you to figure out where, exactly, in the 40 acres I am hiding.
When you are quick to react, let me teach you that herbivore's kick MUCH faster than omnivores.
When you are angry, let me teach you how well I can stand on my hind feet,because I don't FEEL like cantering on my right lead today, that's why.

When you are worried, let me entertain you with my mystery lameness, GI complaint, and skin disease.
When you feel superior, let me teach you that, mostly, you are the maidservice.
When you are self-absorbed, let me teach you to PAY ATTENTION. I TOLD you about those dragons in the forest!
When you are arrogant, let me teach you what 1200lbs of equine can do when suitably inspired.
When you are lonely, let me be your companion. Let's do lunch. Also breakfast and dinner.
When you are feeling financially secure, let me teach you the meaning of "Veterinary Services, additional".
When you need to learn, hang around, and I'll be your teacher.
After all, I am your horse.

Welcome to Pony Mad, Horse Mad

2009-09-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

Pony mad, horse mad

Horse, horse, horse. Fantastic animals - sensitive, intelligent, moving, touching. Ponies, now they are a different kettle of fish, a sort of cheerful younger version of horses, with a more carefree life, & less worries.

I've been a horse lover all my life, from learning to ride at the local stables, with long days full of mucking out, grooming, telling ponies off for standing on my foot, trying to get ponies off my feet, washing tails, cleaning tack, getting up at unearthly hours to get ready for gymkhanas at which I never won anything but came home after a long day, happy, tired, hungry and content, nonetheless.

My folks indulged in this love of ponies, since the animals kept my sister and I exercised & full of fresh air, and the animals taught us how to care, to take responsiblity, to look after ourselves, to get up again and mount when we fell off - a key lesson in life. Mum said she never worried about us when we were with the ponies - boys never got a look in; the ponies always came first. We were far too tired to want to go out at night after hours in the saddle, mucking out, cleaning tack, watering & feeding our charges etc.

Still today, I can't pass a field with a horse in it without wanting to stop over the fence to say hallo, wishing I had a carrot with me. The sight of horses still moves me. Horses reach out in a way that many people don't. And it still hurts when they stand on my foot!

I want to raise awareness of how to help horses in this blog and most particularly to encourage young people to get involved in horses & ponies, to help care for them, to learn about them and have fun with them. So Mums & Dads, aunts & uncles, grandparents too, you'll find lots of ideas of presents on this blog to help you and yours encourage the bond between children & ponies and help kids reach their potential through that most amazing of animals, the horse.